News: Jan-March 2009
Multiple sclerosis costs Wales more than £67 million a year
A study of people living with the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis (MS) has shown the true economic cost amounts to more than £67 million in Wales, on average £17,000 per person per year. Over 70% of these costs come from care informally provided by members of the family, and worse still, if the figures for potential lost employment are added, then the cost rises to £25,000 per person per year.Judi Rhys, Director of MS Cymru, said, “This research shows the shocking cost of living with MS. It is better for the Welsh NHS and for society as a whole to keep people with MS as healthy as possible and in work for as long as possible. This study shows how cutting corners in health and social care is counter productive."
Llangadfan friends raise £4,800 for MS Cymru
A group of friends from Llangadfan, Montgomeryshire recently raised a massive £4,800 for MS Cymru. Hywel and Llinos Evans worked with their family and friends to raise almost five thousand pounds through a charity luncheon and a promise auction.Sue Rollinson, Chair of Montgomeryshire MS Society commented, “We are so grateful to everyone in Llangadfan who helped to raise £4,800. We are reliant on donations from local people and this money will allow us to help people with multiple sclerosis, right here in Montgomeryshire.”
Swansea fashion show raises almost £2,000 for MS Cymru
Lunacy Boutique, a small retailer in Cardiff and Port Talbot, organised a fashion show on Thursday 13th November at the Tower Hotel in Jersey Marine, Swansea and promised to donate the profits to MS Cymru. The fashion show was a sell out and raised £1,777.Emma Hanford, who co-owns Lunacy with her sister, said, “A close friend of ours was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis some years ago, so I’m delighted that our fashion show raised awareness locally about the condition and money for charity. At Lunacy, we hope to offer shoppers stylish clothes that they wouldn’t normally find on the High Street, at prices they can afford.”
MS Cymru calls for more wheelchair accessible toilets
MS Cymru is working with Welsh Assembly Members of all parties to call for more wheelchair accessible toilets across Wales. In August 2008, Dr Brian Gibbons AM announced plans to give local councils up to £17,500 to re-imburse any payments of up to £500 per business that they make to allow free public access to their toilets. This could open up an extra 770 toilets to public use, but there were no mention of wheelchair accessible toilets.MS Cymru contacted Jenny Randerson (Welsh Liberal Democrat), Jonathan Morgan (Welsh Conservative), Helen-Mary Jones (Plaid Cymru) and Ann Jones (Labour) and persuaded them to submit a statement to the Assembly calling for a minimum target for the number of wheelchair accessible toilets opened up to the public.
An MS Cymru spokesperson commented, “It’s a positive sign that the government is attempting to reverse the decline in the number of public toilets available to the public, but the Society would like a set a minimum target for the number of wheelchair accessible toilets for each council. Otherwise there is a risk that the extra toilets may be small, upstairs, accessible through a narrow passage, or generally inaccessible to disabled people.”
Minister needs to put meat on the bones of Steers’ review proposals
Commenting on Edwina Hart’s response to the Independent Review of Adult Neurosciences, Multiple Sclerosis Society Cymru is dismayed by a lack of direction.The two reviews of neurological services for North Wales, and for South and Mid Wales, presented a detailed assessment of current practice within Wales. The report’s 9 recommendations show where adult neurosciences in Wales need to be, but it is now up to the minister to take the recommendations forward and produce costed proposals showing how to get there.
Judi Rhys, Director of MS Cymru, commented, “People affected by multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions are waiting for the Minister to act on the recommendations, and that wait continues. We would like to see a firm timetable for the implementation of the Independent Review of Adult Neurosciences’ recommendations, with costed proposals, so that the public and voluntary sector can work together to provide the best possible services for people with a neurological condition.”
MS Cymru Annual Awards: Let’s celebrate the stars of the MS community in Wales!
2009 sees the launch of the MS Society Cymru Awards!The awards will recognise and celebrate individuals and groups, volunteers and professionals, from across the MS community who are making a real difference to the lives of people affected by MS in Wales.
Do you know someone who deserves an MS Cymru award?
For more information contact Li Ang, Executive Assistant, on 029 20 786676 or email Li Ang