Services
Multiple Sclerosis service
Multiple sclerosis is a neurological condition which affects the brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance.
Care extends from diagnosis, when an education programme is offered, throughout the patient journey to a fully integrated care approach if this is required. The team consists of consultant neurologists; MS clinical nurse specialists and a MS service co-ordinator.
MS is a lifelong condition. Symptoms can be minimal or can have a more significant impact on how a person functions. Each person’s experience and symptoms are unique.
There's currently no cure for MS, but the team’s emphasis is on guiding people to manage their lifestyle and symptoms as best they can. This involves regular exercise, healthy eating and being alert to changes in their body and taking appropriate action.
We offer a mixture of face-to-face clinical appointments, telephone consultations and video calls allows the team to assess and provide the level of support patients, their family and carers require.
Co ordinated, comprehensive care and management is achieved through weekly multidisciplinary clinics.
Information and about us
The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) team provides specialist nursing and medical management of patients with MS across the Exeter, Mid and East Devon. The team works closely with other MS services in the South West region and especially the North Devon MS Team.
The team support people with MS throughout their MS pathway with an integrated, personalised approach.
The team will also advise on specific symptom management and the appropriate use of drug therapies. A broad based research portfolio allows patients to contribute to all manner of MS related research projects including clinic trials of novel therapies in development.
The team is actively involved in both the education of patients, medical and health care professionals in training. They also contribute to an established education program including a formal lecture schedule at the University of Exeter Medical School.
Where to find us
Your healthcare professional will advise where your appointment will take place. Your appointment may take place at one of our outpatient clinics situated within our main hospital sites or within the community.
Eastern services
Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford)
We are based at the RD&E Wonford, Barrack Rd, Exeter EX2 5DW, The Neurologists and the MS Nursing team also hold clinics at Mardon and in the community hospitals.
Infusion therapies are undertaken on Cherrybrook Ward and occasionally on the Neurology Ward (Bolham) – both on the Ground Floor, B Template.
The MS Nurses are based at Mardon Neuro-Rehabilitation Centre, Wonford Road.
Northern Services
North Devon District Hospital
North Devon District Hospital
Raleigh Park
Barnstaple
Devon
EX31 4JB
Meet the team
East
- Catherine Petherick, MS Nurse RGN, BSc ( Hons)
- Hannah Foley, RN, MNursSci BA( Hons)
- Jayne Tolliday-James MS Service Co-ordinator
- Dr Timothy Harrower, (Consultant Neurologist, MSologist, Senior Clinical Lecturer, MS researcher and MS Service Clinical Lead)
- Other consultant neurologists:
- Prof Nick Gutowski, Dr Kevin Gormley, Dr Sonali Dharia, Dr Mark Fish, and Dr Chris Price.
Services and treatments
Care ranges from establishing a diagnosis, providing symptomatic management to provision of all recognised and NICE approved disease modifying therapies where appropriate. The use of disease modifying therapies forms the main focus of management in relapse prevention and is achieved with well formulated local guidelines to ensure safe, monitored use of the correct therapies at the correct time.
Weekly neuro-radiology meetings facilitate patient specific discussions with radiological investigations providing a concrete platform for complex clinical decision making to facilitate access to centrally (NHS England) funded costly Disease Modifying Therapies.
Symptomatic care is directed where needed and is undertaken with a large element of support from community based health care professionals. The two MS Clinical Nurse Specialists work closely with GPs, community physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, bladder and bowel care service, community matrons and psychologists. Support and advice is provided through a person’s disease trajectory.
Supporting you
The MS Nurse Advice Line is available for all patient and Health Professional queries: 01392 403655.
Exeter has an MS Therapy Centre which is part of a National Charity.
They provide support and advice, hold information days, exercise classes, physiotherapy sessions and offer alternative treatments.
Website: www.msntc.org.uk / southwestmscentre.co.uk
Address: West Grange, Clyst Heath, Exeter EX2 7EY telephone 01392 447411
The MS Society have a local group in Exeter and surrounding areas.
www.mssociety.org.uk/care-and-support/local-support/local-groups/exeter-group
TalkWorks
This is a free, confidential, NHS talking therapy service for adults, offering effective treatments and therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
Website: www.dpt.nhs.uk/locations/talkworks-depression-and-anxiety-service-exeter
Patient information leaflets
The MS Trust and MS Society have useful information to help you. For accessibility queries related to different formats including large print, please visit the websites:
Information for healthcare professionals
Eastern services
Our MS Nurse Advice Line can be contacted on 01392 404891.
The MS Trust provides online information and conferences for healthcare professionals www.mstrust.org.uk/health-professionals
Health care training programs are offered via the MS academy multiplesclerosisacademy.org
Online nurse training can be achieved via www.msnursepro.org
Referrals
GP’s can refer patients to neurologists via the choose and book system.
The MS nurses take direct referrals from GP's for people with a confirmed diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
If the diagnosis is uncertain or the person is new to the RDE MS nursing service, a neurology opinion should be sought first.
The direct dial number for the MS nurses is: 01392 403655
The direct dial for the MS coordinator is: 01392 404885