Real Challenges In Healthcare Provision for MS Sufferers, But Some Improvements Since 1999

Nearly half (45%) the people with multiple sclerosis diagnosed in the last three years are dissatisfied with the support they received from the NHS at the time. The poll among members of the Multiple Sclerosis Society also found one in three members overall (32%) is unhappy with their healthcare generally. Fewer than a quarter can always access MS services on the NHS when they need them.

Six out of 10 of those diagnosed in the last three years say they had not been able to meet a specialist MS nurse or support worker in the month after diagnosis. Seven out of 10 in that group have not been put in touch with a specialist MS clinic or team.

Eight out of 10 say their NHS care should be better co-ordinated. A similar proportion want someone with knowledge of MS to manage it.

Six out of 10 rate the NHS as poor in providing information about different aspects of their condition. Nine out of 10 have found out by themselves most of what they know about it. Fewer than one in 10 has been asked their opinion to help develop services.

Most believe their quality of care depends on where they live and that they will get a better service if they know what they need and how to ask for it. They say the NHS fails to provide enough emotional support for people with MS.

The survey does reveal some improvements since a poll conducted by the Society in 1999. The proportion of people who say they were able to meet a specialist nurse in the month following diagnosis has risen from 8% to 29%. The number referred to a specialist MS clinic or team has risen from 10% to 15%. Thirty-nine per cent have a named professional responsible for coordinating their care against 24% four years ago.

By contrast, fewer people (80% against 86%) are being informed about the range of MS services their local health service can offer.

Technical details

MORI interviewed a random sample of 3,000 members of the MS Society aged16+ throughout Great Britain. Interviews were conducted via postal self-completion research between 6 January and 14 February 2003. results are unweighted. All respondents have MS.

Copies of the survey are available from the Information Team at the MS National Centre.

Telephone: 020-8438 0799 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.mssociety.org.uk/living_with_ms/policy_campaigns/campaign_news.html