Report from Therapists Meeting MS Trust Conference November 2010

Approximately 60 therapists attended a meeting of TiMS at the MS Trust conference in November 2010. During the course of the meeting participants heard about the work of the TiMS group in 2010 and also looked plans for 2011 and at personal development in the current NHS.

Core stability research: The research project undertaken by the TiMS research group is now complete and has been published in Multiple Sclerosis. (view the abstract) This is an exciting piece of research which has the potential to bring real benefit to people with MS if more therapists focus on core stability. The research was undertaken in a novel manner and the successful outcome has led to a larger research project on core stability being funded by the MS Trust.

The TiMS group are now looking to undertake further research and suggestions on topics are being canvassed. If you have any suggestions please send them to therapists@mstrust.org.uk

Study days: Two very successful study days were run by the TiMS group in 2010 looking at the management of spasticity. The first was in Glasgow and the second in London.

In addition a study day was organised in conjunction with ACPIN in Portsmouth looking at Multiple Sclerosis and its management.

For 2011 the TiMS group are looking for suggestions for study day topics. Examples discussed at the meeting included Ataxia, Pain management, Cognition and mindfulness including CBT, Mental capacity and respiratory management. If you have any suggestions send them to: therapists@mstrust.org.uk

Possible venues suggested were Manchester, Bristol and London.

Website: The new look TiMS website has been completed and the working group hope for interaction and feedback from as many therapists as possible. Do please send ideas, topics and information for the site to therapists@mstrust.org.uk A key element of the new site is the Forum, a secure password protected area of the site for therapists to discuss critical issues and complex cases. There are also useful links to other key therapy websites. Why not bookmark the TiMS website today to ensure you have easy access to all these?

Audit tool: The audit tool has now been completed by approximately 120 people. The analysis functions are now working and national evidence can be produced from the data. All the data is confidential and no specific site can be identified. If you have not already completed an audit of your service against the NSF why not do so today – it will only take 10 minutes. see Audit Tool

House of Lords debate on the value of therapists: For the first time ever the value of therapy interventions was debated in the House of Lords. (Link to the transcript) This came directly from contact with the TiMS group and its success was acknowledged within the DH.

Personal development: Linda Miller joined the group and talked about how she had managed her personal development to her current role as a consultant physiotherapist.

Network working groups: Several new therapists have joined the working groups and the dates for next year's meetings are: London Wednesday February 16^th, , London Tuesday June 14th and November 13^th at the MS Trust conference