MS Specialist Posts

The MS Specialist Post Fund offers partnership funding to the NHS for MS specialist posts. These are usually nurses, but can also be therapists or social workers. The Society part funds salary costs, and fully funds the education of postholders and the evaluation of the programme. The Multiple Sclerosis Trust has been commissioned to provide education for postholders.

There are currently 23 NHS MS Nurse Specialists in Scotland - an increase of 18 since 2000.  In addition the society has funded two specialist physiotherapy posts and two Occupational Therapy posts.

Most posts are based in neurology teams in acute hospitals, but increasing numbers are based in community rehabilitation teams, and health centres. We are currently in discussion with health authorities about other AHP (Allied Health Professional) posts, and with local authorities in regards to social worker posts.

The key aims of the MS Specialist Fund programme are:

• To improve the quality of health care services for people with MS, in line with the Standards of Care
  
  
• To work towards equitable access to health care services for people with MS across the U.K.
  
  
• To improve knowledge and skills of health professionals about the treatment and care of people with MS
  
  
• To stimulate the development of effective multi-disciplinary services for people with MS
  
  
• To expand the numbers of MS specialist workers within the NHS
  
  
  
• To develop and evaluate models of MS care, which can be disseminated widely.

The current priorities for the MS Society are to improve services in rural areas, as well as ensuring that people who have been long-term diagnosed are appropriately supported.