Current work programme

Background: 

In November 2003 NICE made six key recommendations concerning the management of people with MS, and identified one sentinel marker for service quality. In 2005/6 an initial audit identified major failures in NHS services. In 2007/8 a full national (England and Wales) audit was undertaken collaboratively by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and the MS Trust. The audit was endorsed by the Association of British Neurologists. A multi-professional working party oversaw the audit which used the key recommendations and sentinel marker identified in the NICE guideline as seven standards by which to measure the quality of services offered.

Methodology

Data were collected from four sources: 1300 people with MS (as service users); 127/157 NHS Trusts (as service providers); 140/172 service commissioning organisations, and 7/13 organisations responsible for performance management. The available data suggest that the sample was representative of its population. 

Report

At the end of May 2008 NHS organisations were sent a copy of the summary report and those who submitted data were sent a copy of the data provided.