Northern Ireland is leading the way in terms of access to some disease modifying therapies.
That was the key message from Finance Minister, Simon Hamilton, as he launched MS Week 2015 at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, today. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a life-long condition, however with the right support people with the condition can expect to live a long and fulfilling life.
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Patricia Gordon, Director, MS Society NI, Finance Minister Simon Hamilton and Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive, MS Society, pictured at the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings, Stormont, as they launched MS Week 2015.[/caption]
Minister Hamilton said: “While Northern Ireland may have one of the highest incidences of MS in the world, research conducted by the MS Society in 2013 found that Northern Ireland is also leading the way in terms of access to some disease modifying therapies. The range of specialist drug treatment regimes for MS are routinely commissioned by the HSC Board and are available free of charge to MS patients in Northern Ireland.
“It is also encouraging to note that research conducted by the MS Society in 2014 found that people living with MS in Northern Ireland are around twice as likely to have access to a disease modifying treatment than if they lived in other parts of the UK. Significant annual investment is made every year in MS specialist drugs for patients in Northern Ireland and the current budget for this service is in excess of £10million.”
Following a diagnosis with MS, patients in Northern Ireland have access to the full range of core community health and social care services, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, community nursing, speech and language therapy, dietetics, social work/social care, domiciliary care, day care and day time opportunities and respite care, including specialist respite care.
The Minister added: “We need to continue to work to raise awareness about MS treatments available for this potentially devastating condition. That is why the MS Society is to be commended for the tremendous work it continues to do in providing much needed person-centred support to MS sufferers in Northern Ireland.
“In addition, the contribution that the Society makes in the area of research should not be underestimated; it is an essential component in helping us to build the kind of health and social care service which all of us want.”
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