The MS Trust is delighted to announce that the Tayside Advanced MS Champion role initially funded by the Trust has been made permanent.
In 2023, Rachel Morrison became Scotland’s first Advanced MS Champion as part of a 15-month programme funded by the MS Trust. The package sees the MS Trust fund 80% of the role and includes professional development, education and access to specialist resources. The initial programme phase is now complete and has proven such a success that the post has been made permanent, thus guaranteeing the ongoing care for people living with advanced MS in the Tayside region.
Ruth Isherwood who is a consultant in palliative care at NHS Tayside and who was instrumental in securing the future of the post, says of the news:
The Advanced MS Champion post provides excellent and comprehensive support for people with advanced MS and those who care for them. In NHS Tayside, we were delighted that the MS Trust helped us secure the post and ensured that we were well placed to provide the evidence needed to make the post permanent. Since she joined the team, Rachel Morrison has used her clinical experience to ensure that people with advanced MS are better supported and have better symptom management. Rachel has so much to offer everyone that she meets - patients, families, carers and professionals - and it is a joy to work with her. Rachel is delighted to have accepted this permanent role, which most importantly will ensure the ongoing continuity of care for those people with advanced MS she looks after.
Tania Burge, Head of Service at the MS Trust said of the news:
I am delighted this role is now permanent and Rachel Morrison can continue the fantastic work as our first AMSC for Scotland. It has been great mentoring her in our Advanced Champion Programme. The impact of having this role across the MS and palliative care services has made a real difference to advanced care planning which has improved symptom management and quality of life for people with advanced MS. Rachel will remain part of our national AMSC group, we will enjoy seeing how the service continues to grow and develop. Congratulations to Rachel and the Tayside team for all their hard work.
You can find more information on both the Advanced MS Champion Programme and the other Health Professional resources that the MS Trust offer on our website.