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The role of the specialist MS nurse

"The MS Specialist Nurse provides an essential and holistic link between the person with MS, community or social services and their consultant. We are on hand to provide specialist emotional, therapeutic and practical support to people with MS, their families or carers at the time they need it most"  Judy Percy (MS Specialist Nurse, Reading, Berks).

The MS Specialist Nurse provides a pivotal role in co-ordinating the activities of all health professionals involved in the care of people with MS. They have the understanding and expert knowledge required to deliver a specialist nursing service for people undergoing investigations to confirm diagnosis, through to the management of the person with MS - whether within the hospital setting or the community.

With an extensive case load, the MS Specialist Nurse is skilled in MS education and is an accomplished communicator adept at regular liaison with social /community services, the GP/ primary care team and the hospital.

The case load is varied and extensive - but ultimately the MS Specialist Nurse must always be sensitive to the needs of the person with MS. Here is an insight into a typical day of the MS Specialist Nurse…..

Time Activity
08.30am - 10.30am · From a case load of 300 people with MS, update those requiring attention and check agenda for the day.

  • Ongoing calls to and from people with MS/family members, consultant neurologists, occupational/physiotherapists and GPs.

Time Activity

  • Receive call from newly diagnosed person asking for help in making application for disability benefit (outcome TBC).
  • Follow-up discussion with local housing authority regarding re-homing of severely disabled person with MS into suitably adapted accommodation
  • Making arrangements for outpatient visits in local community
  • 10.30am - 1.00pm · First of home visits to person with long-term MS experiencing bladder problems. Physical examination using a mobile bladder scanner to identify the site of the problem, followed by advice
  • Further home visits involving assessment of newly-diagnosed person with MS; arranging new bedding/chair support for another person with MS experiencing severe pain in lower back 
  • Visit to surgery to meet with GP and a newly diagnosed person 
  • 1.00pm - 1.30pm · Return to hospital. Grab lunch
  • 1.30pm - 3.30pm · Update case notes resulting from community visits 
  • Meeting with consultant neurologist regarding treatment of local people with MS 
  • Facilitating hospital discharge of person with MS involving input from social services
  • Hospital ward visit to young person with MS
  • Meeting with rehabilitation consultant
  • Counselling person with MS by telephone
  • On site at hospital MS clinic
  • 3.30pm-4.30pm · Community visit to local MS Therapy Centre to meet attendees and discuss any concerns
  • Finalising arrangements for participation in evening induction course for newly diagnosed people with MS
  • 4.30pm - 7.30pm · Back to hospital and to mound of telephone messages and queries 
  • Administration: completing details for Study Day on MS
  • Meeting with medical representative to discuss MS treatment
  • Prepare presentation/sessional notes for six-week course on MS for newly diagnosed people
  • 7.30pm - 9.30pm · To MS Therapy Clinic for 2-hour induction course

MS Research Trust
Spirella Building
Bridge Road
Letchworth
Herts
SG6 4ET

Tel: 01462 476700
Fax: 01462 476710
Website: msresearchtrust.org.uk

We are indebted to the MS Trust for their help in compiling this section.