During a tour of the Society’s Resource Centre in Belfast, the Minister also announced that National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance on the use of the drug Tysabri has recently been endorsed by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
The Minister said: “In today’s health service, new drugs and technologies are emerging all the time. The new drug Tysabri has the potential to help people suffering from a particularly severe type of MS, and I am therefore pleased to announce that the department has endorsed the NICE guidance on the use of this drug. Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts are currently preparing for the managed introduction of Tysabri so that patients can be assured of the safe delivery and administration of this treatment.
“While there is no cure for MS as yet, disease modifying drugs like beta interferon may be prescribed in some cases to reduce the number and severity of relapses. I know that in recent years, waiting times for these drugs had been unacceptably long. To address this, an additional £2 million was invested over the last two years to ensure that by March 2008, no patient eligible for disease modifying therapy should wait more than 13 weeks for their treatment to commence. I am confident that this target will be met.”
The MS Society provides a range of services and a network of local support to people with MS throughout Northern Ireland. At the Resource Centre in Annadale Avenue, those with the disabling neurological disease can relax, enjoy social interaction as well as getting advice and help on the management of their condition.
Praising the excellent work carried out at the Centre, the Minister said: “Voluntary organisations like the MS Society have a valuable contribution to make in complementing the statutory health and social care services. It is clear from what I have seen here today that the staff and volunteers at the Centre are committed, dedicated individuals determined to provide high quality services to people with Multiple Sclerosis.”
During his visit, the Minister met with the Society’s new Northern Ireland Director Ms Patricia Gordon and Mr Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Notes to Editors:
- The Multiple Sclerosis Society provides a range of services and a network of local support to people with MS throughout Northern Ireland. The Resource Centre in Annadale Avenue provides a facility where people with MS can come to relax, have social interaction in a safe and secure environment, and get advice and help on the management of their condition.
- The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is the independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health to the NHS in England and Wales. The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety established formal links with NICE in June 2006, whereby all new NICE guidance is reviewed locally for its applicability to Northern Ireland and, where appropriate, is endorsed by the Department for implementation in the Health and Social Care Sector.
- The Institute’s guidance on Tysabri (natalizumab) was published in August 2007, recommending Tysabri as an option for treatment only of people with rapidly evolving severe relapsing-remitting MS (RES). On 31 January, DHSSPS published guidance endorsing the guidance as applicable in Northern Ireland and asking HSC organisations to put plans in place within 3 months to facilitate implementation of the guidance. The guidance is available on the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence website
. - For further information please contact DHSSPS Information Office on 028 9052 0571, or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
