Access to MS specialist nurses
The MS Trust believes that everyone diagnosed with MS should have access to an MS specialist nurse. To ensure that there are enough MS specialist nurses for everyone with MS in the UK, around 300 MS specialist nurses are required. Currently there are around 200 MS specialist nurses in the UK.
What MS nurses do
Research and the experience of thousands of people with MS shows that having an MS specialist nurse makes a real difference to people's journey with their MS. MS specialist nurses provide specialist clinical advice and support, helping people manage their MS, and being a first port of call when new symptoms or other issues develop. MS specialist nurses provide personal support and guidance, referring on to a doctor or therapist if necessary, will identify other needs such as emotional support or counselling and may help people with getting help for personal care. MS specialist nurses are there for people with MS, from diagnosis onwards, and for the whole spectrum of symptoms and variability of the condition.
We work very hard to keep the profile of MS specialist nurses high on the political agenda, currently by promoting their role to commissioners in Strategic Health Authorities. We support specialist nurses in proving their value in the new financial environment, in addition to our education programme, including detailed one-to-one support for nurses and services in crisis.
Our work to support MS specialist nurses includes:
- Training and support for MS specialist nurses, from an initial week-long residential course for new MS specialist nurses, to twice-yearly courses for experienced nurses to ensure they are up-to-date with new developments in the world of MS. All of this translates into better care for people with MS.
- Providing evidence of the economic and health benefits of MS specialist nurses, so ensuring investment by the NHS in such posts. Previously, the MS Trust has funded research into evaluation of the role of the MS Nurse Specialist.
- Information services that support the day-to-day work of MS specialist nurses.