Specialist nurses for people with MS in the UK

Dear Friend,

With your help there are already more MS specialist nurses in areas where they are needed the most…..

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) are already benefitting from the kindness of our supporters, including our friends who have donated via GlobalGiving.  In this report I am updating you on the progress of the project, and letting you know how our new MS Specialist nurses are doing.

Leicester – From my previous reports you may recall that we are funding one nurse in Leicester, but our business case was so strong that two posts were created and we are mentoring and training both nurses.  Our nurses have been there for 6 months now, are doing very well and making a real difference to the lives of people with MS.  Community and outreach clinics have been set up; they have established formal weekly multi-disciplinary team clinics with the neurorehabilitation department and neurologists, and they have set up a new clinic for people with deteriorating symptoms.  Not only that, but they have also been identifying and contacting people who had been lost to the service.  Our nurses are committed to making MS lives better.  It is all very good news for people with MS in Leicester. 

Bradford – We were so lucky to be able to recruit a Band 7 nurse to care for people with MS in Bradford.  She is a highly trained and enthusiastic professional who is looking forward to embarking on a career in MS.  Sally has a place on our next Development Module, which is our post-graduate residential foundation training course, accredited by Birmingham City University, for all new MS specialist nurses. 

Lanarkshire – Our work with the Health Board was so successful that an additional nurse and a part time neurology nurse, were appointed.   Those nurses have been in post for three months now.  Whilst initially they felt a bit overwhelmed, the mentoring we provide, and the fact that they have been shadowing the MS Team in Glasgow has helped enormously. They are feeling more confident and the feedback they are receiving from people with MS is very positive.   Already they are making a difference to their lives.   Previously patients had a 2 hour window of opportunity to phone the service.  Now people can phone in at any time, leave a message and the team will get back to them and, in the Spring, they will be launching a Conference Call facility.  This will mean that people with MS, their partners, our MS specialist nurse and other health care professionals can consult and make treatment decisions without everyone having to be physically present.  This will be much more convenient for some people with MS. All of the new nurses are booked onto our next Development Module.

We are in discussion with several NHS Trusts to establish new posts.  We have one signed agreement in place and that post has been advertised once.  Regrettably there were no suitable candidates, but the position will be re-advertised again soon.   Whilst things might not be moving as quickly as we would like, we know that the reason for this is that Ward Managers, Senior NHS and Health Board staff are involved in meetings so that hospitals can free up beds to enable them to cope with the demand during the busiest months of the year.  In early Spring they will be more readily available.

We have achieved a great deal for people with MS and are very grateful to our supporters for making this possible.

With very best wishes from all of us here at the MS Trust.

 Yours sincerely,

Jo Sopala

Director of Development