Services for MS
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Hospice Services
MS affects around 85,000 people in the UK. It is most commonly
diagnosed between the ages of 20-40 and can affect both the
young and old. Once present the disease will never go away:
there is no cure and the person will live with that diagnosis
for life. The disease follows an unpredictable course and
life expectancy of some patients with MS can be reduced on
average by 6-11 years compared to the general population.
To someone recently diagnosed the prospect of years with a
significant disability can be worse than death itself |
For further information on any of these services please contact
Karen Rymell
on 01453 886868 |
The Hospice provides key elements of support to patients throughout
their illness. This may range from psychosocial support in the form
of the self-management group at time of diagnosis to a more focused
and individualised package of care within the Day hospice when care
needs become more complex. Other services such as counselling are
also available as adjustment to living with this diagnosis may require
specialist psychological support to help patients or their families
face the challenges ahead of them. Rarely is care needed on a continuous
basis; the exception being for some end-of-life care needs. The
principles of palliative care are however applied at all stages
of the disease through various models of care provision. These models
include a self-support approach, palliative care provision and end-of-life
care.
Self-Supporting model
Earlier in the disease process the Hospice empowers patients to
adopt a self-supporting model of care. This is recognised by the
National Institute of Clinical Excellence as a beneficial and empowering
means of support. Within our model patients mutually support each
other, sharing skills, coping strategies and resources available.
The Hospice provides a safe and caring environment for this to develop
and works collaboratively with the local MS Society and Expert Patient
Programme in order to help to achieve this. As this is a self-supporting
project patients are also involved in the management and running
of this service.
- Groups meet on a monthly basis;
- Groups are held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday between 11am and
2pm;
- Tea, coffee and biscuits/cakes are provided;
- Access to disabled toilet facilities and comfortable lounge
facilities are available;
- Dining room is available to carers if they wish to share coffee
together;
- Access to experienced help available in case of extraordinary
circumstances;
- A £5 charge is made for lunch and refreshments.
Palliative Care provision
Palliative Care is a service for people severely affected by advanced,
progressive life limiting conditions. The purpose is to maximise
Quality of life during the advanced stages of the disease. It takes
a holistic approach and provides symptom management and support
for complex psychological and social issues for patients and families.
All specialist palliative care is tailored to the needs of the individual.
The Hospice provides Day Care, life
affirming therapies, counselling and
bereavement support to patients and families
who may require this type of care provision. There are no cost implications
to the patients for this service if palliative care needs have been
assessed as appropriate by our multi-professional team.
End-of-life care
In the later stages of the disease patients may be unable to access
Hospice services and may wish to be able to die in their own homes.
Our specialist Hospice-at-Home service provides
a comprehensive nursing service working in close collaboration with
District nurses, GP’s and Macmillan nurses. This provides
invaluable support to patients and families at this extremely personal
and sensitive time. There are no cost implications to either patient
or families should this service be required.
Caring for the carers
Some of our services are also available to carers of patients with
MS. These can include access to our counselling
services, complementary therapies and
bereavement support. Any life limiting illness
affects the family and carers too. All support offered is assessed
in much the same way as the patients care is assessed so that a
clear plan is in place to support the carer through their situation.
For further information on any of these services please contact
Karen Rymell
patient pathway co-ordinator on 01453 886868.
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