The key aspects of this programme are:

• Funding for new positions and appropriate training
• Guidance on models for effective services that can be applied in different settings
• Research on how physiotherapy can improve quality of life and what works best
• Workshops, training, and educational materials to enable top quality skills to be developed
• Information for local branches on how they can support services
  Understandable information for people with MS on how physiotherapy can help them 

What has been done so far?

To test which service models work best, the MS Society, in collaboration with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and MS Research and Relief Fund, piloted four new MS physiotherapy services. The services were all very different in nature:

• Specialist physiotherapy as part of a multidisciplinary MS relapse clinic.
• 14-week education, advice and exercise programme, in a hospital setting, for people with minimal impairment.
• Six-week fatigue management programme in a respite care centre.
• Physiotherapy in a range of community and hospital settings in a rural area.

All were found to be beneficial to people with MS, and the MS relapse clinic and 14-week education, advice and exercise programme have become sustainable and used as models for good practise in other areas.

Another achievement has been identifying where more research and information is needed about MS specific physiotherapy. An MS Society funded study reviewed all research on MS physiotherapy to date. The results showed more information is needed about how effective exercise and physiotherapy is for maintaining independence for people with MS. In response to this, the MS Society has now committed funding to research in this area.

Research funded in winter 2008 - Evolving MS Services research 

What is happening now?

Funding new posts

To ensure this good work continues, the MS Society now has funding for further full or part-time positions (apply below). Examples of posts already funded are:

• A physiotherapist into an MS clinic
• A physiotherapist to take the lead on spasticity management
• Backfill for a physiotherapist to develop an FES service
• A physiotherapist developing an exercise and advice programme for people newly diagnosed within the community

Anonymous application and job description examples and application forms can be downloaded from the website.
 

Research, information & training/education

Two research proposals examining the role of exercise and physiotherapy are being funded; details can can be seen on our research webpage. Funding is available to support research in this and other areas.

The research team have also produced A beginners guide to local research - a toolkit for staff and volunteers. This guidance is for staff or volunteers who are thinking about doing some research but who have little or no experience of it. The toolkit can help you:

• Decide on the questions the research hopes to answer
• Choose an appropriate research method
• Plan the design, execution, analysis and presentation of your results

For more information, to get a copy or to feedback email research admin.

New guidance has been brought out to help physiotherapists translate the NSF and NICE guidelines into practise. Translating the NICE and NSF Guidance into practice

An OT version will be available in 2009.

A series of factsheets is being produced giving guidance to carers on posture and movement; contact the Service Development team at MS National Centre on 0208 438 0700 or servicedevelopment@mssociety.org.uk for further information.

In the future we will be developing a web based resource reviewing the evidence on exercise for people with MS and giving examples of good practice. Further information on this will be available soon.

We run workshops for physiotherapists to improve their clinical skills which can be accessed through our Professional Network. This is free to for health professionals to join and provides support, advice and information on a wide range of subjects including research, audit and service development. It is also possible to get grants to undertake post graduate education.

Information can also be obtained from the library at MS National Centre MS Society Library which gives books, DVDs, CDs, and articles. It is also possible to sign up to a current awareness service which provides updates on the latest literature. We are also happy to be a resource for information around:

• Developing services
• Signposting to areas of good practise
• Helping to make the business case
• Outcome measures to prove theraputic effect
• Recent research and how we can support you to start research as a clinician
• Auditing your present services against the NICE guidelines or NSF through our Measuring Success scheme Service Audit & Evaluation Programme
 

MS Society branch collaboration

MS Society local branches often also give funding and practical help to local NHS services to improve services in their area. Partnership working has been a success in the past and it is hoped this will continue in the future such as:

• A physiotherapist in Bradford is being funded completely by the branch for 2 years with the Trust picking up funding in 2010.
• Rugby branch is funding accessible equipment into the local hospital gym.

Many branches are also providing subsidised physiotherapy, hydotherapy or exercise opportunities sometimes in partnership with leisure providers or MS Therapy centres.  

MS Specialist Fund - guidance & application form
A statement of policy and guidance for applicants and an application form to the MS Specialist Fund.