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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.”
