There are more than 150,000 people living with MS in the UK. We believe that everyone with MS should have access to MS specialists, regardless of where they live, or the type of MS they have.
Our 2021 mapping report estimated that eight in ten people with MS live in areas where there are not enough MS nurses to provide safe, high-quality care. Our MS nurse mapping work, which builds on the MS Forward View project, highlights where MS nurses are most needed across the country and provides the backdrop and focus for the Specialist Nurse Programme.
We have worked with NHS organisations in the UK to improve access to MS specialist nurses and support overall MS service improvement.
A Specialist MS Nurse is a specialist health professional (either a specialist nurse or therapist). They are part of an MS Team and focus on care for people with MS.
What a Specialist Nurse does:
- Provides specialist clinical advice, information and support to people with multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Acts as the main point of contact for someone with MS.
- Refers people with MS to other appropriate services, such as a doctor, neurologist or therapist.
- Provides support through the process of choosing and taking disease modifying drugs, if they are appropriate.
Please visit the support and services area to find an MS Nurse near you. You can also contact our free helpline, find a support group and listen to our podcast.
The MS Trust Specialist Nurse Programme offered a package of support to participating MS teams, including:
- Up to 80% of the funding for the first 15 months for a permanent MS Specialist Nurse post. After this initial period, the NHS Trust will take over the cost
- Accredited training through the MS Trust's MS foundation training
- Mentorship for the post-holder from our Specialist Nurse Programme Manager and / or an experienced MS nurse
- Support for the whole MS team in improving and developing the service
- Support for the whole MS team in collecting data about the service (using tools based on those developed in the MS Trust’s GEMSS programme)
Our MS Specialist Nurse posts have been up to 80% funded by the MS Trust for the first 15 months. This covered training, development and mentoring for new MS Specialist Nurses. Many of these posts became permanent after the initial 15 months, as having seen the positive impact the role made, the NHS Trust would then take on responsibility for the funding. Below are the specialist nurse posts which the MS Trust has supported.
Ashley started in post on 27 August 2024.
This role is now permanent.
Read more about Ashely and her role.
Watch an interview with Ashley.
Blessing started in post on 4 April 2023. The 15 months MS Trust funding ran from April 2023 - July 2024.
This role is now permanent.
Read more about Blessing and her role.
Watch an interview with Blessing.
Bolanle started in post on 1 September 2022.
This role is now permanent.
Read more about Bola and her role.
We have delivered our Specialist Nurse Programme since 2017. Listed below are the posts we have set up and funded for the first 15 months.
- 2017 - Bradford
- 2017 – Lanarkshire
- 2017 – Leicester
- 2018 - Lothian
- 2018 – South Tees
- 2019 – Coventry
- 2019 – Hull
- 2021 – North Wales - The Walton Centre
