Caroline champions care at home as part of new role in Trust's Multiple Sclerosis team

Working with the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Trust, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust is delighted to welcome a new Advanced MS Champion.

Caroline Scott’s appointment forms part of MS Trust’s Advanced MS Champion Programme, which places specialists in areas of greatest need across the UK.

When people reach a more advanced stage of MS, they may no longer be eligible for disease-modifying drugs, which can lead to a disconnect from their MS service and leave them reliant on family and friends for support. The Advanced MS Champion’s role is to re-establish that link and co-ordinate care for people living with complex needs.

Caroline’s work also aligns closely with one of the NHS’s key priorities - preventing avoidable hospital admissions through pro-active, community-based support.

“We’re not an emergency service but there are still phone calls and things I can do,” Caroline explained. “Sometimes it’s about alerting the district nursing team for a two-hour response or arranging antibiotics and wrap-around care at home. Keeping people comfortable in their own environment makes such a difference.

“People often don’t want to go into hospital because they have pets or they’re worried about being away from home. Those things really matter, they’re part of someone’s values and what keeps them grounded.”

For many people with MS, fatigue is one of the most common and challenging symptoms. Caroline’s support helps to reduce the burden of chasing for appointments or referrals, which can feel quite debilitating for someone experiencing MS fatigue, by offering timely advice and co-ordinated care.

“It’s such a big area and patients often find it difficult to navigate the services available to them,” she added.

“We’re just delighted to have this role as part of our team. It means we can diversify our service, reach more people and make sure they don’t feel alone.”

It's estimated that more than 150,000 people in the UK have MS, a lifelong neurological condition affecting your brain and central nervous system. Click here to learn more.