Multiple Sclerosis
Welcome to the Hereford MS Wellbeing Hub, this site brings together local and national information about living well with MS. The site shares information from local clinicians on a variety of topics, such as exercise, diet and supplements. Also it suggests hints and tips on how to manage symptoms and signposts you to further information.
Learn More about MSStatistics
Herefordshire is a rural county with a current population of approximately 93,000 people. It is estimated that there are 600 people currently living with MS in the county. This is higher than average for a UK population.
Patients with MS in the UK
New diagnoses each year
1 in 500 in the UK has MS
People diagnosed each week
People with MS in Herefordshire
Hereford MS Services
Support Network
Find out what local support there is on offer. From exercise classes, financial grants, where to hire equipment, carers support to just a cup of tea and a chat.
Wellbeing
Looking after ourselves isn’t always a priority, but it needs to be. Explore ways that maybe suitable for you, it could be relaxation or mediation. Please see a list of how to access this support or how to do it yourself.
Work
Ever wondered: Do I tell my employer about my diagnosis? How can I go part time? Why am I being referred to my Occupational Health department? We offer information, guidance and support on working with your employers.
Pregnancy
Pregnant and have MS? We share information about Herefords maternity services and advice specifically regarding the MS. We answer questions such as: What medication can I continue on? How can I manage my fatigue? What to expect after birth?
Living Well with MS
This is an overview of how to manage a variety of symptoms, and how to adapt your lifestyle to live well. There is much information in both written and in video format from your local team, which include advice from a Dietician and Speech & Language Therapist.
Exercise
Listen and watch videos from your local Neuro Physios, on how to incorporate exercise into daily life, specifically in the work environment.
Covid 19
Please note that appointments continue in a variety of formats, either: face to face, telephone or video. We are planning to carry on with these options, therefore please let us know which format would suit you best. The NHS continues to apply COVID measures such as social distancing and the wearing of masks, information about what to do will be sent with your clinic appointment letter.
Team
Welcome to our team.
We hope that you find this website useful which has been developed by the MS team and colleagues at Wye Valley NHS Trust.
https://www.wyevalley.nhs.uk/services/community-services/multiple-sclerosis.aspx
Del Thomas
Full Time Lead MS CNS and Community Neuro CNS ManagerDel Thomas is the lead MS Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) at Wye Valley NHS Trust, she has worked in the field of MS for 28 years the last 19 as a CNS.
Del has set up the service to be responsive to the needs of a geographical large county and sees patients in a variety of clinic settings as well as doing home visits. Del works collaboratively with the local charities and actively advocates exercise and wellbeing as part of her care approach. Del is a former chair of the UK MS Nurse Association (UKMSSNA) and a board member of the International Organization of MS Nurses (IOMSN), which are both active in shaping policy, guidance and education for MS Nurses.
Claire Jones
MS Occupational TherapistClaire qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 2002. She has worked in Herefordshire for the past 15 years in a variety of roles, both within hospital and community settings.
Claire has a keen interest in neurology and is passionate about enabling people with a progressive condition to remain independent. She assesses and reviews patients in clinic as well as in their home and work environments. She offers a variety of interventions such as fatigue management education, handwriting and feeding solutions, postural and seating advice and cognitive and relaxation strategies. She also works jointly with other members of the MDT to ensure a comprehensive service for people with MS in Herefordshire.
Elaine Evans
MS CNSIn September 2017 Elaine joined the Wye Valley NHS Trust to take her present post of Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Nurse Specialist and is extremely motivated working with a strong, committed Neurology Team.
Elaine's duties includes supporting and offering advice to patients with Multiple Sclerosis, she runs clinics at various locations around the county as well as doing home visits. She also manages the MS home phlebotomy service offered to people on a Disease Modifying Therapy (DMT).
Frequently Asked Questions
Please find below a summary of the more frequently asked questions.
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What do I do if I need help at home?
If you feel as if you need help in the home for personal care, you can ring the Adult Help Desk and they will assess your situation for care and support. Note not everyone will be eligible for social services support, this will depend on your financial situation, but we recommend you ring the helpline whatever your situation as they can signpost you to other areas of support.
https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/social-care-support/get-care-support
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Am I having a relapse?
A relapse is a new or old symptom that is coming and lasting for more than 24-36 hours. It is not usually just one symptom, it can be a combination, such as: high fatigue/weakness and sensory changes.
Many things can look as if you are relapsing, often symptoms are worse when you have an: infection, period, area of broken skin, after exercising, warm weather, stress, anxiety.
If you feel you are having a relapse, make contact with the MS Team either by phone or e-mail (stating you think your relapsing), they will get back to you (note they only work Mon-Friday) when able.
Treatment for relapses can be: rest, steroids, physio or time off work. If you feel as if you’re having a disabling relapse, please attend A&E out of hours for advice.
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Who gets MS?
Anyone can have MS, however women have a higher risk: approximately 3 women are diagnosed to every 1 man. Environmental factors can also increase your risk, such as: where you live, low vitamin D, childhood obesity and smoking.
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How soon will I be seen after my diagnosis?
We aim to see people within the first 2-4 weeks after being diagnosed, this is usually as a home visit.
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Where do you do your clinics?
Sarum House, Ross Hospital, Ledbury Hospital, Leominster Hospital, Kington GPs surgery, Llandrindod Wells GPs surgery, The MS Therapy Centre.
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What support is there for me?
The MS team will continue to offer support, we do not discharge from this service. On average people are seen once or twice a year, or more frequently if needed. There are local MS charities that provide support in a variety of ways, such as: grants/ exercise groups/ lunches/wellbeing/networking.
Contact
The MS Team is based at Sarum House alongside their admin support team, previously we were located at Gaol Street Clinic. Sarum house is an old GP practice, this service has moved to Station Walk Practice. There is limited on road payed parking, the closest car park is: Gaol Street car park.
Location:
Sarum House, St Ethelbert Street, Hereford, HR1 2NS