This year’s MS Week runs from 28 April – 4 May, and we’re launching a campaign called ‘Treat Me Right’, calling for people with MS to get the right treatments at the right time.
We know this isn’t happening because people with all types of MS have told us they continue to face significant difficulties in accessing:
- the treatments they need
- the information to decide what’s right for them
- and the specialists who can help
This is of particular concern as new medicines are being considered this year that could vastly change the landscape for people with relapsing remitting MS, but will count for nothing if people can’t get them.
The campaign
We’re calling for:
1: All licensed MS treatments available on the NHS to everyone eligible for them
2: Regular reviews of treatment and care by MS specialists for everyone with MS
3: All people with relapsing remitting MS invited to talk with a specialist about their treatment, in light of new disease modifying drug (DMD) options in 2014
4: Accessible information about treatment options, and support to be equal partners in decision-making, available to all people with MS
We highlighted in MS Week 2013 that people living in certain areas of the UK have a harder time than others in accessing treatment. We’ve contacted the branches in the most affected areas and have written a letter for them to send to their local newspaper for MS Week 2014, to raise awareness and highlight the support branches can offer.
If you would like to use the letter and contact your local newspaper, please contact the MS Week team by emailing [email protected].
What you can do
- Back the campaign: Sign up via the MS Week website (to be launched during MS Week) www.treatmerightms.org.uk and share your reasons for supporting the campaign.
- Spread the word: See our resources page for social media content you can share in MS week. Retweet MS Society content (follow @mssocietyuk), or share content from the campaign using the #treatmeright hashtag. We will also be releasing an animated film for you to post on your Facebook page.
- Tell others about the campaign, share it in your branch newsletter, and urge them to support it too.
If you'd like to support the campaign at a local level, just contact your local staff member who will be able to give you more information and ways to get involved.
Share your story
To make the campaign a success, we need your help. There are lots of ways you can get involved, but sharing your experiences with us and members of the general public is one of the most powerful ways for us to make an impact and spread the word.
We’re looking for people with MS who can talk about:
Having to fight to access licensed or NICE approved medicine (check out the MS Society’s website for a list of treatments)
Not getting enough time with your specialist health care professional – like your MS nurse or neurologist – to discuss all your treatment options
How the whole process of deciding what treatments to take is completely confusing, and you don’t feel you have enough information about your options
Having never taken a disease modifying medicine, but have lived with relapsing remitting MS for many years, and would have considered taking a treatment if you had known more
Being on the same drug for many years, and want to change your treatment, but are not sure how to do this and would struggle to get an appointment with a consultant
How you’ve had fantastic care from your health team, a range of treatment options, have felt confident you’ve made informed decisions and have regular appointments with your consultant
Plus any other stories relating to MS treatments that you feel are important to you.
Please contact the MS Society’s press office at [email protected] or by calling 020 8438 0700 and asking to speak to someone in the press office.
This is just the start of a long-term campaign looking at access to treatments for all people with MS. So help us get loud and share your story!
We look forward to hearing from you.
Further info
For any more information on MS Week please email [email protected].
