"I want to show people with advanced MS that they matter, that even small changes can make a difference, that we have not given up on them and they should not give up on themselves...." Lindsay Lord, Advanced MS Champion
The MS Trust and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust have announced the appointment of Lindsay Lord as the UK's first Advanced MS Champion.
Advanced multiple sclerosis, or MS, is characterised by increasing mobility and balance problems, severe pain and fatigue, difficulty swallowing, spasticity, bladder and bowel problems, and loss of memory. The MS Trust estimates that up to 40,000 people in the UK have advanced MS but has found that many are losing contact with specialist services as their condition gets worse, and have to rely on informal care from family and friends, or have to manage the condition alone.
The Advanced MS Champion Programme is funding six new Champions, over a three-year period, with Salford being the first. It is hoped that the appointment will make a real difference in delivering efficient, equitable and joined-up MS services that work for people with MS and save the NHS money by reducing emergency hospital admissions. The charity believes this will make the case for these roles to be rolled out across the NHS so that no one has to manage MS alone
"Our work over the past five years has shown that people with advanced MS and their families all too often miss out on vital specialist care" says Megan Roberts, Health Professionals Programme Manager at the MS Trust "The generous support of The October Club has enabled us to set up the Advanced MS Champions programme which we hope will transform the lives of people living with advanced MS and their families."
And Lindsay Lord adds: "I know it is going to be a challenge, but it's a challenge I am hugely excited for. This role will help me to deliver care and support to the people who need it most. I want to show people with advanced MS that they matter, that even small changes can make a difference, that we have not given up on them and they should not give up on themselves. I am truly grateful to the MS Trust for identifying the need for this role and supporting it."
For more information on the MS Trust's work see http://www.mstrust.org.uk/
Main photo shows Lindsay Lord
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