Health care priorities for the next decade
Nicola Russell, MS Trust
Open Door - August 2010 page 2
Picture: Nicholas Flook
Following the general election, the new team at the Department of Health will face a range of challenges. The new Health Secretary is Andrew Lansley, and as he has held the shadow portfolio for many years he is possibly the best prepared Health Secretary for some time. He is joined by Paul Burstow from the Liberal Democrats, someone the MS Trust worked with back in 2001, and who has an interest in MS and long-term conditions. The budget for health has been protected in actual terms but we know that with the population dynamics of the country there will be an increase in demand which will ensure that money will be tight. The MS Trust hopes that the DH will share some of our priorities for the next decade, and we will be working hard to campaign to this effect.
Quality services for people with multiple sclerosis
Managers and commissioners have no real understanding of what it is like to have multiple sclerosis - they need input from clinicians and people with MS who do understand. We are currently preparing to repeat our audit with the Royal College of Physicians to provide evidence of good and bad service provision.
Growth in the number of hospital MS specialist centres
There are currently about 90 hospital specialist centres, but the number needs to grow to allow people with MS access to services closer to their home.
Growth in the number of MS specialist nurses
MS specialist nurses have the ability to make a major difference for people with MS and the MS Trust will continue to lead the campaign we started in 1997 for more specialist nurses across the UK. There are currently about 230 MS nurses - we need at least 100 more.
New drugs to be assessed quickly and effectively by NICE
The new drugs on the horizon, if they are granted a marketing licence, need to be assessed by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), and then introduced effectively into the NHS.
The benefits of the Department of Health Risk-sharing Scheme must be maintained
The Department of Health Risk-sharing Scheme is the legal framework for the prescription of the original disease modifying drugs. Some people with MS have done really well on drug therapy and all people with MS have benefitted considerably from the Scheme through the development of MS services. Early termination must not be considered without ensuring that access to MS treatments and services are legally preserved.
Growth in the number of therapists specialising in MS
The Therapists in MS group, now an active force in MS management, must be encouraged to continue to develop new ideas of benefit to people with MS and the NHS.
More money must be allocated to MS services
Neurology in total, and MS specifically, remain Cinderella services in comparison with other serious conditions such as cancer. Research by the Kings Fund in 2006, showed only 3% of funds was allocated to neurology in England despite 8 million people having a neurological condition. Only 3% of the budget for 14.3% of the population - is this fair? Why should people with MS have a second class service in the UK compared to all other developed countries?
Health professionals and managers must involve people with MS in the development of services
We know MS is a complex condition and a challenge for the NHS. However, just because it is challenging doesn't mean the NHS can ignore it. The MS Trust has developed an MS pathway for commissioners that charts the needs of people with MS throughout the disease course and we hope this will provide a framework for future planning.
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