Wednesday 1 May 2013

Stephen Metcalfe MP supports campaign to stop MS lottery


Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, is backing the MS Society’s ‘Stop the MS lottery’ campaign after attending an event in Parliament this week.

A report by the charity has revealed major disparities in access to MS medicines, social care support, employment support and health professionals across the UK.

The MS Society surveyed more than 10,000 people with multiple sclerosis (MS) to inform the report. It asked what services they needed and to what extent these needs had been met over the previous 12 months. The charity is now calling for an end to the MS lottery and will be campaigning to ensure people have fair access to the treatments and services they need, when they need them, wherever they live.

Ultimately, the MS Society wants every person with MS to have a personalised treatment, care and support plan, with two comprehensive reviews each year.

Stephen Metcalfe MP said: “Too many people with MS are not getting access to the treatments, support and health professionals that would make a huge difference to their quality of life. I’m backing the MS Society’s campaign to Stop the MS lottery to ensure access is no longer based on luck but instead on genuine need.”

100,000 people live with multiple sclerosis in the UK. MS attacks at random and many of the symptoms are invisible to others. It affects almost three times as many women as men and people are usually diagnosed in their 20s or 30s; news that can be scary and heartbreaking.

“A lottery of treatment and care: MS services across the UK” was released to mark MS Week, which runs from 29 April – 5 May.

Mr Metcalfe added: “I would encourage all of constituents to visit www.mssociety.org.uk/mslottery to support the campaign and to get more information about this cruel illness.”