A DECISION to double the number of specialist nurses caring for people with Motor Neurone Disease will save a charity £300,000 a year.

The Scottish Government is investing £700,000 in extra posts to improve care for patients suffering from the terminal condition.

Motor Neurone Disease Scotland said the extra nurses would make an "enormous difference" to the lives of people with the condition.

The charity currently meets 80% of the nurses costs and said the funding would save the charity more than £300,000 a year which will be re-invested in new services for patients.

The posts are being funded by £700,000 of Scottish Government money, part of a £2.5million package to improve specialist nurse care.

Around 130 people in Scotland are diagnosed with MND each year, yet because of its poor prognosis, approximately only 400 people have the illness at any one time.

From diagnosis, average life expectancy with MND is just 14 months.

A charity spokeswoman said: "MND Scotland is delighted to hear that First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, has committed to doubling the number of MND nurses in Scotland and ensuring that they are paid for by the NHS.

"Doubling the number of nurses will make an enormous difference to people with MND across Scotland.

"It means that patients will have greater contact with the nurses as they won't have such huge geographical areas to cover.

"Currently MND Scotland meets 80% of the nurses' costs, despite repeatedly asking NHS Boards which don't contribute to do so. This will save MND Scotland more than £300,000 per year which we will use to introduce new services aimed at improving the lives of those affected by MND.

Ms Sturgeon said: "The Scottish Government recognises the vital role targeted use specialist nurses play in patient care.

"This £2.5 million will go towards funding these specialist posts and make sure that everyone who requires care has access to the highest standards in every setting, their own home, a care home or hospital."