07, AUGUST, 2023

Photograph attached: NHS Tayside Advanced MS Champion and MS specialist nurse, Rachel Morrison.

NHS Tayside appoints first Advanced Multiple Sclerosis Champion in Scotland

NHS Tayside has appointed the first advanced Multiple Sclerosis champion (AMSC) in Scotland and the first AMSC within palliative care in the UK.

NHS Tayside MS specialist nurse, Rachel Morrison, has been appointed into this role and is specifically dedicated to caring for the complex needs of people living with advanced multiple sclerosis, the first of its kind in the UK.

Rachel is a member of the MS team, focusing specifically on care for people with advanced MS. She has highly specialist knowledge and understanding of the needs of people living with advanced MS and will support their families by creating an advanced care plan. Crucially, Rachel will help people with advanced MS live as independently as possible and improve their quality of life.

After a successful pilot of the AMSC role in 2018, conducted by the MS Trust, results showed that an Advanced MS Champion can make a hugely positive impact on the lives of people living with advanced MS.

Following this successful pilot, NHS Tayside welcomed Rachel Morrison as the first AMSC in Scotland. Rachel has 33 years of experience in nursing, 12 of which have been spent working as an MS Specialist Nurse. She established and developed the MS nursing service for the Western Isles in Scotland which was recognised internationally for innovative practice in the MS Trust QuDos awards.

Rachel Morrison, Advanced MS Champion said, “I’m enjoying establishing and watching the MS Champion role in NHS Tayside flourish. I like the fact that this is a new role as it gives the opportunity to identify what patients need. I feel honoured and privileged to be creating a service that truly meets the needs and supports those living with advanced MS in a holistic way.”

In Tayside, approximately 1,500 people are living with multiple sclerosis and it is further estimated that 6,300 people in Scotland have advanced MS.

Director of Health Professional Programs at the MS Trust, Paru Naik said, “We are delighted to welcome Rachel as an Advanced MS Champion. This vital role will significantly contribute to enhancing the quality of care for individuals residing in the Tayside region who have advanced MS. Furthermore, it will result in substantial cost savings for the NHS, amounting to hundreds of thousands of pounds.

NHS Tayside Associate Director for Patient Access & Assurance, Jessica Henderson said, “Since welcoming Rachel into this role, already we can see the positive impact it is having for our patients, specifically palliative patients. Through informed decision making and planning with patients and their families, this service is improving the quality of life and independence for many living with Advanced MS. We are really proud to be the first board within Scotland to recognise the benefits for both patients and carers of the advanced champion role.”

Contact:

Abigail Reid

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740716