The MS Society wants the use of data and technology to help treat the condition to be improved and extended
A charity has developed a masterplan which could help those suffering from a debilitating condition.
The MS Society has unveiled a series of radical proposals for healthcare professionals, commissioners, and the third sector to improve health outcomes for people living with MS.
Its new report Improving care for people with MS: the potential of data and technology, outlines a programme of changes it believes could transform the way MS is treated and managed. The charity has said failing to better use technology will mean longer waiting times, difficulties monitoring treatments, and increasingly squeezed budgets.
Chief executive Michelle Mitchell said: “The potential of data and digital technology to improve outcomes in MS is so vast, what’s being used today barely begins to scratch the surface. Sadly, this means the 100,000 people with MS in the UK are still facing needless variations in care and increasingly restricted access to services.
“We hope this report will be a catalyst for change, so we can finally have personalised, coordinated services that meet the complex needs of people living with MS. The third sector has its part to play too, and we’re looking at ways to improve our own digital offering and leading by example. Together, we’re strong enough to stop MS.”
Recommendations in the report include evaluating what digital tools are available to help those with MS, introducing digital care plans and extending technologies for those with MS.
The MS Society believes that through these new recommendations, healthcare professionals can help people with MS stay out of hospital, and empower them to take greater control over their lives.
Jane is in her sixties and has secondary progressive MS. She said: “Technology has had a profound impact on how I manage my MS. A few years ago I lost the ability to use my hands, but I’ve been able to keep my independence because of access to new technology.
“I can operate my computer by voice control, and have another system that lets me answer the phone and lock the door. Being able to participate in society – whether that’s speaking to friends, accessing news, or doing your own shopping – should be a basic right, but sadly I fear I’m in the minority.”
