MS Trust looks to the future
Nicola Russell
Director of Services, MS Trust
Way Ahead 2009;13(1):1
2009 starts with a degree of uncertainty for everyone - an uncertainty which prompts many questions. What will the financial uncertainties mean for individuals? Will we have a general election this year? If so, what further changes can the NHS expect? And what does the future hold for professional training and development? The questions could go on!
The articles in this issue of Way Ahead provide thoughts on some of these issues. But overall, if you are feeling uncertain as health and social care professionals, ask yourselves what it must be like for people with MS?
At the MS Trust we remain committed to working closely with health professionals to improve the management of MS, to ensure that people with MS are partners in their care, and to provide the information they need at the time they need it and in the format that is best for them.
Our priorities for 2009 include:
- Working with health professionals for the implementation of the new MS bladder consensus statement in press with JNNP and led by Professor Clare Fowler. This data was presented at the MS Trust conference - see the presentation slides
- Promoting awareness and usage of the new MS commissioning pathway
- Developing relevant local educational programmes - See a list of planned courses
- Developing the health professional section of the MS Trust website. If you have any suggestions please let us know
- Campaigning for the implementation of the NICE MS management guidelines and the NSF for long-term neurological conditions
- Campaigning for more specialist MS health professionals
- Producing new publications and factsheets
Quality was a key feature in the Darzi review of the NHS, work with us to improve the quality of MS management. If you have any ideas or thoughts I would love to hear them.
email Nicola Russell



