The MS Society heads to political party conferences
Over the last few weeks we’ve been travelling across England to attend the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative party conferences.
Why do we go to party conferences?
Party conferences are where MPs, Peers, councillors, and other party members come together to talk about their policies and priorities. It’s an opportunity for us to talk to decision-makers from across the political spectrum. We go to meet with Parliamentarians and raise awareness of MS as a condition.
We share the main concerns of the community. And talk about what needs to change so that people with MS get the right support at the right time. Whether that’s in healthcare, social security, or in employment.
What did we speak about?
Before we set off to party conferences we asked you what you wanted us to raise with MPs and Peers. We listened to your concerns and carried out our own research.
We spoke with decision-makers from across the three major political parties about three key areas.
Why the UK needs a national plan for neurological care
One in six people in the UK have a neurological condition. And many more feel the impact as family, friends, or carers. Despite this, the Government has not currently set out a long-term plan for neurological conditions.
We told MPs and Peers how a dedicated framework could transform care for people with MS and other neurological conditions. We’re calling for a national plan for neurological conditions to improve access to services and reduce A and E admissions. And reduce health inequalities across the country.
Fixing Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
PIP has never worked well for people with MS. The PIP system should treat people with fairness, dignity, and respect. But we know that’s often not the case. That’s why we brought our campaign to fix PIP to conferences.
We told MPs how PIP needs to change. It needs to capture what life is like for people with progressive conditions and fluctuating and invisible symptoms, including MS.
Supporting people with MS at work
Flexibility is one of the most important forms of workplace support for people with MS. We shared our research with MPs to show what the Government and employers can do to support people with MS at work.
Who did we speak to?
At the Labour Party Conference we spoke with the Secretary of State for the Department for Health and Social Care, Yvette Cooper. And Minister for Public Health and Patient Safety Dame Diana Johnson. We talked about bringing MS care closer to home, from accessing treatments to neurorehabilitation.
We also met with Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms to talk about the Government’s ongoing review into PIP.
And what the future of PIP should look like.
In Brighton, we spoke with Liberal Democrat health spokespeople Helen Morgan MP and Baroness Pidgeon about a national plan for neurological conditions.
At the Conservative Party Conference we spoke about avoidable hospital admissions with shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Damian Hinds MP. And joined up with other charities at the Health Charity Showcase, where we spoke with shadow health minister Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst MP.
MPs from across the three parties met with us to hear how they can support constituents with MS.
And joined events to hear from MPs and experts on disability employment, social security, and healthcare.
What happens next?
We’ve had lots of great conversations with ministers, MPs and Peers across conference season. We’re following up with everyone that we met so they can take action to improve support for people with MS. Both nationally and in their local area.
