My MS, My Needs: 1 in 3 people without care and support

By Georgina Carr

The UK MS Society’s My MS, My Needs 2 survey of over 9,000 people with MS in England shows that demand for social care among people with multiple sclerosis has increased. Despite this reality, fewer are getting the support they need. Article for EMSP’s Membership Newsletter.

Worse situation

The second edition of this survey – completed in 2016 – shows that 1 in 3 people with MS who need help with essential everyday activities such as washing, dressing and eating are not receiving that support.

Compared to the situation captured in the first survey – published in 2013 – these new figures show that a higher proportion of people are now paying for care and relying on family and friends.

Long-term solution urgent

The UK Government recently commitment £2 billion of funding over the  next three years for social care in England.

The UK MS Society’s Chief Executive Michelle Mitchell says that the funds allocated will only address the challenges faced by people with MS in the short-term:

“We welcome the Government’s investment in social care over the next three years. It will help in the short-term but social care desperately needs long-term funding to improve the system for people who rely on it. A solution that works for older and disabled people, including those with MS, must be found before the end of this parliament.”

According to the Atlas of MS database there are around 100,000 people living with MS in the UK. 90,000 of them live in England.