A palliative approach to multiple sclerosis: Benefits and barriers to care

Northern Ireland has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the world, and over 4,500 local people are currently living with the condition.

The symptom burden of those affected by MS can be similar to those with advanced cancer, and research has shown that palliative care can help with the psychological and emotional problems associated with MS, positively affect some key symptoms and reduce burden on carers.

Despite this, there is evidence that people with MS face a number of barriers to accessing timely palliative care. Healthcare professionals may dismiss the relevance of palliative care for long-term neurological conditions like MS, and the association that many people make between palliative care and imminent death means that it is often approached with fear.

On 30 April 2018, Marie Curie will bring together a panel of expert speakers to explore these crucial issues. Organised in partnership with the MS Society Northern Ireland, the seminar will consider the benefits of a palliative approach for people with MS throughout their care journey, and discuss how we can overcome the barriers faced by MS patients to ensure they can access high quality, person-centred palliative care whenever they need it.

Guests will hear from:

• Patricia Gordon, Director of the MS Society Northern Ireland

• Lynne Armstrong, member of the MS Society Northern Ireland National Council

• Joan McEwan, Head of Policy and Public Affairs for Marie Curie Northern Ireland

• Further speaker TBC

Everyone should have the right to high quality palliative care when they are living with a life-limiting illness. With nearly 200 new people diagnosed with MS each year in Northern Ireland, it is crucial that our community of health and social care professionals, academics, voluntary sector groups and other service providers work together to improve access to palliative care for people with MS.

To register for the event please click here.