MS Trust News File

Homeopathic products

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The Department of Health has just published its response to the report of the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee Evidence Check 2: Homeopathy.

Register now for Monster Ski 2011

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We are now taking bookings for our 4th Monster Ski event, which will take place in Tignes, France from 3-7 February 2011.

Measuring the NHS against user expectations

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The government is launching a consultation on a raft of measures that will check NHS performance against outcomes and how users feel about services.

Review of social care funding launched

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The government has taken the first steps to explore the future of funding for social care services.

What do the changes to the NHS mean for people with MS?

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

On 12 July the coalition government launched its white paper Equity and excellence: Liberating the NHS to change the NHS in England.

West End stars run 10K for MS Trust

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

A team of star performers from West End shows and TV took time out from their grueling schedules this weekend to run the ASICS British 10K London Run in support of the MS Trust.

House of Lords to debate management of long-term neurological conditions

Fri, 9 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The MS Trust and the Therapists in MS group have played an active role in getting a question tabled for debate in the House of Lords. Baroness Gardner of Parkes has tabled a question asking the Government about their assessment of the role of allied health professionals in maintaining the health and social well-being of people with long-term neurological conditions.

David Schmidt art exhibition opens in Mayfair

Thu, 8 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Stencil artist David Schmidt is supporting the MS Trust as part of his debut solo London exhibition at Mayfair's fashionable Cielo gallery.

New website launched to support people in the workplace

Thu, 8 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The Department of Work and Pensions has launched a new website to support people living with long-term conditions in the workplace. The Work Life resource was developed in partnership with employment organisations, healthcare professionals and a number of charities including the MS Society.

Availability of Sativex

Wed, 7 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Following some calls to our information team the MS Trust would like to clarify the prescribing situation for people who would potentially benefit from Sativex.

Flying high for the MS Trust!

Fri, 2 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Debbie Purdy and Mel Smith spent last Friday learning to fly in a vertical wind tunnel to raise funds for the MS Trust.

Cautious welcome for personal health budgets

Thu, 1 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The MS Trust cautiously welcomes the personal health budget scheme announced earlier this week.

Proposed benefit changes cause alarm

Thu, 1 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Proposed changes to the welfare system have caused alarm for some people with MS.

Are you receiving a good relapse service?

Thu, 1 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The MS Trust is committed to ensuring that people with multiple sclerosis receive the best services and has launched a new document to help MS specialists plan and deliver a person centred and cost effective relapse service.

New website puts stem cells in the spotlight

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

While stem cells offer the potential for advances in the treatment of MS, much more research needs to be done to test their safety and effectiveness.

Pressure to save MS Society respite centres grows

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

On the 11 June the MS Society announced it is to stop providing specialist MS respite care at the four dedicated centres in the UK.

How will the budget affect you?

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, called yesterday's budget unavoidable as he announced plans to cut the structural budget deficit to zero in the next six years. Below are some of the key points that may impact on people with MS.

Sporting bets from beyond the grave!

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

A recent news article just shows that gifts left to charities in wills can come in all shapes and sizes!

Update: cannabis-based drug approved for MS spasticity

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The cannabis-based mouth spray, Sativex, has received approval from the UK drug's regulator (MHRA) as an add-on treatment for MS related spasticity.

BMJ fails to reflect all Risk-sharing Scheme comments in printed version

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The printed version of the BMJ (published 12 June) carries last week's web based articles on the Risk-sharing Scheme but unfortunately fails to include the comments from the Chair of the Scientific Advisory group.

Who will provide specialist respite care for people with MS in the future?

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Carer's week emphasises the role of unpaid carers in the UK.

Fingolimod gets green light from US expert panel

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

An advisory panel to the US drug licensing body (FDA), has recommended approval of fingolimod (FTY720) as a treatment for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.

Government plans for the NHS

Wed, 9 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The coalition government has published Our Programme for Government giving greater detail on their policies.

Chair of Scientific Advisory Group responds to the BMJ debate on the Risk-sharing Scheme

Tue, 8 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Professor Richard Lilford from Birmingham has responded strongly to the assertions made by certain health economists in last Friday's BMJ.

Volunteers needed this Christmas

Mon, 7 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We are looking for volunteers from various towns across the country to help part-time in local multi-charity Christmas card shops.

Academics debate the Department of Health Risk-sharing Scheme for MS drugs

Fri, 4 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

A number of authors writing in the British Medical Journal today debate the Department of Health Risk-sharing Scheme for MS drugs. The MS Trust has supported the Department of Health (DH) Risk-sharing Scheme from the outset as it is, and remains, the legal framework for access to the licensed disease modifying drugs* in the UK. Without the Scheme people with MS would be denied treatment.

European survey highlights differences in MS nursing - webcast available

Wed, 2 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The webcast of the launch of a major survey of MS nursing across Europe is now available.

Family fundraising ideas

Tue, 1 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Here are some fantastic ways to support the MS Trust during National Family Week!

Celebrating National Family Week

Mon, 31 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

It's National Family Week this week and we are all being encouraged to celebrate family life and spend more quality time together.

Vitamin D: hope on the horizon for MS prevention?

Thu, 27 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

An editorial in the latest issue of Lancet Neurology discusses the potential for vitamin D supplements to reduce the risk of developing multiple sclerosis.

World MS Day focuses on employment

Wed, 26 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The focus of this year's World MS day has been employment and multiple sclerosis.

Tysabri labelling information updated

Mon, 24 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Tysabri is recommended for the treatment of rapidly evolving severe relapsing remitting MS and for those with highly active relapsing remitting MS who have failed to respond to other treatments. There are now approximately 67,700 people on Tysabri worldwide and there have been 49 cases of PML to date.

Guidelines on male continence problems published by NICE

Thu, 20 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The MS Trust welcomes the new guidelines which address symptoms commonly experienced by men with multiple sclerosis.

Survey of sexual issues for men with MS

Wed, 19 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The MS Trust is asking men with multiple sclerosis for help in planning a new resource on the impact of the condition on sexuality.

Health care priorities for the next decade

Tue, 11 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Following the general election, the new team at the Department of Health, led by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, will face a range of challenges.

Study of bone marrow stem cells in MS shows promise

Thu, 6 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

One of the first stem cell trials in people with MS in the UK has shown possible benefits for the treatment of the condition.

Monster Ski success in Whistler

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The MS Trust would like to say a huge thank you to the group of 16 skiers who took part in our third Monster Ski challenge in Whistler this April.