Evidence for professionals
Evidence and information to support and inform your work.
Sativex
Developing the York Sativex Service
In 2019, NICE recommended Sativex be made available on the NHS in England, for people with MS with moderate to severe spasticity for whom other treatments haven't worked. Following these changes, the Neurology Team in York were amongst those who started to explore the development of a new Sativex service.
This work was led by an MS Nurse and Specialist Physio. In this short report they share their experiences about how the service developed, first as a pilot, and then later rolled out as a permanent service providing an additional treatment option for eligible patients.
Sativex prescribing
Download our evidence pack with everything you need to know about prescribing Sativex, including cost effectiveness and case studies.
You can also read our 'Approved but Denied' policy report that looks at access to Sativex to treat MS related spasticity in England.
If you'd like to find out more, we partnered with MS Academy to run a webinar on prescribing Sativex for spasticity in MS:
More Sativex information
Neurology services
Neurology now
1 in 6 people in the UK live with a neurological condition. Our new campaign with the Neurological Alliance calls on the UK government to #BackThe1in6 so they can access the services and support they need.
Read the Neurological Alliance's report and take action
The campaign builds on our Neurology now report published last year. This report looks at access to neurology services in the UK, and makes the case for a new approach.
Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)
FES evidence
Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is a treatment used to stimulate movement in weakened or paralysed muscles. It has been proven to improve the lives of many people with MS, making walking easier and reducing the effects of foot drop. This allows people to take part in daily living and social activities as well as feeling more confident and independent.
FES is cost effective for health care providers, but is not being funded consistently by NHS organisations in the UK. Access depends on your healthcare provider and location. We want to change that.
Download FES evidence
Our FES evidence pack has information and evidence to help you have conversations to make FES available locally. As well as studies and information about MS, it includes stories and testimonials from professionals and people with MS who have benefited from FES
FES webinar
Webinar: How to establish an FES service
The "How to Establish an FES Service - MS Society UK and IFESS UK & Ireland Chapter Webinar" was presented by Christine Singleton on Tuesday 24 May 2022.
Watch the recording of the webinar on the IFESS website
Odstock Medical Limited provide information on FES, including training for healthcare professionals to use FES and other OML stimulator devices. Explore FES training and support on Odstock Medical Limited website.
The International FES Society (IFESS) is a member based association They provide information, webinars and resources for patients and healthcare professionals on all aspects of electrical stimulation technologies. Visit the IFESS website to explore their support.
Fatigue
FACETS report
FACETS (Fatigue: applying cognitive behavioural and energy effectiveness techniques to lifestyle) is a way of managing MS fatigue which includes energy effectiveness and cognitive behavioural approaches.
We surveyed professionals who’ve been trained to deliver FACETS, to estimate the number of people with MS who are benefiting from it.
Investment in MS services
Developing a case for investment in MS services
We believe MS services not only improve people’s quality of life, but may also save money for other parts of the health and care system. We asked York Health Economics Consortium to find out where there’s already evidence of the economic benefits of MS services, and what could be done to help build the evidence base.
Download our report Developing a Case for Investment in MS Services (DOCX, 2.55 MB)
