More MS news articles for April 2004

MPs ask questions on Palliative Care

http://www.mssociety.org.uk/news_events/news/campaigns/palliative_care.html

April 14, 2004
Multiple Sclerosis Society

On Thursday 26th March, a special committee of MPs challenged officials from the Department of Health on NHS provision of palliative care.

MPs including Paul Burstow, the Vice-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for MS, asked officials about whether there are appropriate services for younger people and if services meet the needs and wishes of the individuals who use them and their families and carers. This was the first meeting of the House of Commons Health Select Committee inquiry into palliative care.

The MS Society welcomes this inquiry and has put forward evidence on the need for specialist palliative care for people severly affected by MS to the committee.

The Society hopes that the National Service Framework (NSF) for long term conditions due early next year, will recognise the need for the range of palliative care services for people with neurological conditions, and trigger appropriate service and workforce development including education, in the NHS.