Autumn Covid Vaccine Booster

Posted by & filed under Information.

The UK Government has announced an autumn vaccine booster for Covid-19.

You’re eligible for the autumn Covid vaccine booster if you’re:

  • aged 50 and over
  • aged 5 to 49 and in a clinical risk group. That includes including pregnant women and everyone with MS
  • a household contact of someone with immunosuppression. You’re likely to be in this immunosuppressed group if you were eligible for the ‘third primary dose‘ of the vaccine
  • an unpaid carer aged 16 to 49
  • a resident or staff in a care home for older adults
  • a frontline health or social care worker

The rollout is expected to start from September, but could take several months. 

Source: https://www.mssociety.org.uk/care-and-support/coronavirus-care-and-suppo…

ChariotMS Trial for people with advanced MS

Posted by & filed under MS News.

Can cladribine slow worsening of arm and hand function in people with advanced MS? The ChariotMS Trial is currently testing if a drug called Cladribine can slow down the worsening of hand and arm function for people with more advanced progressive MS.

There are currently no disease modifying therapies available for people with MS who can’t use their lower limbs at all or can only walk short distances with the help of aids like crutches.

The researchers, led by Professor Klaus Schmierer, are hoping to recruit 200 people and so far less than 50 have signed up. 

Can you help? 

If you have advanced progressive MS and an EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale) score of 6.5 to 8.5 the researchers want to hear from you. EDSS 6.5 – 8.5 means you can’t walk further than 20 meters with two crutches, or are unable to walk at all, but still have some use of your arms and hands. 

You have to be 18+ to take part in this trial but there is no upper age limit. 

You can live anywhere in the UK. There will be 20 trial sites including locations in London, Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh.

To find out more about taking part, email the trial team at chariot@qmul.ac.uk.

You can find out more on the MS Society website (who are helping to fund the research) and by reading this article on Pharmaceutical Technology website: https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/analysis/ms/ 

MS Society Bladder, Bowel and MS Webinar

Posted by & filed under MS Society Local Branch.

In this information webinar you will meet Noreen Barker, MS Consultant Nurse from The National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery.

Noreen will:

• explain the different kinds of bladder and bowel symptoms that can occur in MS

• explore how these can be treated and managed

• look at what you can do to help your symptoms

• suggest some further sources of support and information

The webinar takes place online  on Thursday 21 July 2022 at 6.30pm

To book your space please click here

MS-UK Information Session – Posture and core exercise

Posted by & filed under MS News.

This information session with Dr Gretchen Hawley (Physical Therapist and Multiple Sclerosis certified specialist) will focus on the importance of good posture and the link with core strength.

Focusing first on posture, Dr Hawley will take a look on how improving common postural holding patterns in standing and sitting results in better function for daily activities and other benefits such as increased respiratory and bowel function.

She will then take a look at core strength and its relationship with posture, demonstrating engagement and movement-based exercises that will help with core activation and stability. Good core strength results in reduced fatigue, efficiency and improved quality of movement for everyday tasks

Please note the presentation will be recorded and will be available for you to watch again.

There is a suggested donation is £5 for this information session, but you can make a donation of your choosing from £1 to attend.

Session takes place online on 18 July 2022 at 2pm

To sign up, please click here

Updated NICE multiple sclerosis clinical guideline

Posted by & filed under MS Society Local Branch.

NICE has recently published the updated Clinical Guideline Multiple sclerosis in adults: management

It gives recommendations on how healthcare and other professionals should care for and support people with MS. The MS Trust have responded to this updated guideline.

Some of the key points include:

  • Extra detail has been added to recommendations throughout the guideline, for example for people who are thinking about starting or extending their family. A new section provides information and support for people whose MS is becoming more advanced. 
  • More healthcare roles have been recommended for MS teams
  • Expanded guidance on non-pharmacological treatments for fatigue.
  • Fampyra has not been approved despite responses to the draft scope from the MS Trust and other MS organisations highlighting the experiences of people who have taken this treatment. 
  • The MS Trust are concerned that NICE has recommended drug treatments for fatigue based on very limited clinical evidence

More information about the update and the responses to it can be found on the MS Trust website

Enable Magazine July-August issue

Posted by & filed under Information.

Enable Magazine
July-August issue

The UK’s leading disability and lifestyle title

Introducing the July-August issue of Enable Magazine.

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This issue we’re celebrating the passing of the Down Syndrome Bill with three people who were involved; talking about the pros and cons of an integrated health and social care system; and discussing the need for more support for people living with Fibromyalgia. We also explore why the current wait times for an autism diagnosis are so long; share the experiences of young disabled entrepreneurs; and Caroline Casey, founder of The Valuable 500, writes about the current disability pay gap.

Plus, our cover star Samantha Renke takes readers behind the scenes of her debut book; we get readers ready for summer with a recipe from Mary Berry and our best gardening tips; and content creator and mum Nina Tame shares her experiences as a disabled parent. All of this and much more inside.

Encourage your families and friends to sign up!

Posted by & filed under Fundraising.

 
  £12.40 Raised this month  £1287.20 Raised in total  0 New supporters  44 Total supporters 
 
 
 Summer is here and your supporters can raise donations for you when they shop everything for the season online!Whether they are looking to upgrade their garden furniture, do some DIY, or treat themselves to a new wardrobe, they can do it all through easyfundraising.We’ve put together ready-made tools with the latest offers to help you spread the word. Get tools  Introducing Cause of the Fortnight… We’ll be showcasing a good cause for 2 weeks, highlighting their impactful work! This week we want to let you know about Solutions for the Planet. They believe that young people are the key to helping make the world a better place for everyone. Find out more   Sign up new supporters       Copy, paste and share Please support Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre Oxfordshire on #easyfundraising, you’ll raise FREE donations with your everyday shopping. It’s quick and easy to sign up! Plus, once you’ve raised your first £5, easyfundraising will double it! Sign up now: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/support-a-good-cause/step-1/?invite=22UNQQ&char=122182&referral-campaign=c2s&utm_source=anwupsharebox   
  £42 million Raised 2.3 million Users 180,000 Causes
 
 
   

Wallingford Accessible Boat Club

Posted by & filed under Centre News.

Four of our members went on a boat trip on 27th June.  They thoroughly enjoyed the trip which was organised with Wallingford Accessible Boat Club.  The trip lasts a few hours and departs from Benson Marina.    Another trip is currently being organised for some members.  If you are interested in a trip let Sue know and she will try and organise it for you