The Role of the Community MS Specialist O.T.

Ros Edwards MS Specialist Occupational Therapist, West Berkshire Council

The post of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Specialist OT was the inspiration of James Hamilton in 2002, a social worker in a small team at West Berkshire Council working with clients with physical disabilities. At the time there were a high number of people with MS with very complex needs urgently wanting assessments and resources but it was felt that these were not being met as effectively or efficiently as they might be. It was also identified that there was a high incidence of MS in West Berkshire but the demands of care management meant that it was not possible to provide a rapid response service, continuity of contact or investigating preventative measures.

Following consultation with the MS Society this innovative post was created in early 2003, jointly funded for 3 years by the MS Society Nurse Fund and West Berkshire Council and I was subsequently appointed in July 2003. The post is now fully funded by the Council and I am based within the Physical Disability Team which also includes Social workers, generic community OT'S and Community Care Officers.

At the onset of my employment I met with a group of service users and their carers to listen to their anxieties and frustrations about accessing community care services and it was agreed that one of the aims of the post holder should be to provide people affected by MS living in the area with appropriate and timely access to community care services.

I have now been in post for nearly 6 years and provide a rapid response service for people with MS. This involves being the first point of contact for all referrals which are responded to within 7 days and in the majority of cases followed up with a home visit by either me or the MS community care assistant who now works alongside me. I now accept direct referrals from clients, their carers or families which help expedite care and resources, breaking down barriers that may otherwise put people off from contacting their local social services.

There is no longer a waiting list for OT assessments; all enquirers are dealt with within the 7 day period after which clients are assessed and either provided with a service or signposted on. This has proved to be of great benefit with a considerable reduction in the number of crisis situations which are known to be more costly and time consuming but also can create more stress for the clients and their carers.

Opportunities for people affected by MS have significantly improved enabling them to remain in their own homes and in West Berkshire there have been only two admissions to residential care in 6 years with many clients now having formal live-in carers in their homes funded either through health or social services.

Following an assessment I am able to arrange an array of services and resources for clients including:

Being the first of its kind in the UK this post was the subject of a research evaluation project carried out by Reading University in 2006, which highlighted the value of MS specialist OT's who have a greater understanding of the disease and a greater recognition that each person is an individual with unique needs. The service was highly valued by the participants in the study which included service users and their carers who agreed that this post has made a difference to them knowing that they have direct access to a specialist OT who understands their condition and is ready to act when problems arise.

On the 1st May 2009 I was lucky enough to be presented with the 'MS Professional of the year' award by the MS Society at a Gala dinner in London. This was a very special day and very meaningful as I enjoy working with and helping people with MS to maximise their abilities and support them to manage specific symptoms to enhance their quality of life. My role is broad but this is what makes it more enjoyable. I work with a great team of professionals and work hard to bridge the gap between health and social care services. As well as my immediate team colleagues, I work closely with MS Nurses Annette Leach and Sarah Wyatt, physiotherapists, district nurses, hospital staff and voluntary sector providers. I am also pleased to say that neighbouring local authorities have also employed MS Specialist OT's following the success of my post which has had the benefit of broadening my MS Specialist OT professional network and with whom I can share experiences and issues.

Through their experiences MS Specialists therapists have extensive knowledge and specialist skills that can make a real difference to the lives of people affected by MS. They have a greater understanding of MS and its effect on clients, families and carers and are able to deliver effective services and resources to manage specific symptoms including cognition, fatigue, pain, spasticity, and speech and language difficulties. (TiMS 2006)