Our Trust has a new seven-week supported self-management course for people with MS. 

The course involves patients and health professionals working as equal partners and is based on the well-established self-management course for pain..

Self-management is about an individual having a useful understanding of their condition and knowing what they can do to manage it. This is done by collecting tools, skills and methods that they can use on a daily basis to help manage their condition, rather than just relying on treatment that health professionals recommend.

People with a long term conditions can improve their quality of life wiith a good understanding of their condition, some simple skills and a positive approach.They can become effective self-managers meaning they rely less on others. It includes sessions on goal-setting, problem-solving, relaxation techniques, and positive self-talk. The also learn how to manage setbacks, pacing, planning, prioritising, managing medication and communicating with others.  

The is facilitated by Ann Jackson, patient volunteer and the self-management programme for pain, Sally Grose, occupational therapist, Sam Person, physiotherapist from the Support and Independence Team, and Denise Winterbottom a Multiple Sclerosis Specialist Nurse.

Multiple Sclerosis Specialist Nurse, Denise Winterbottom said: It is an excellent example of multi-disciplinary team working and what can be achieved when patients and health professionals work together”

Some of the comments made about the course are as follows;

“I have learned  I have control of my MS to some extent”

“I have learned to laugh again”

“I have learned everyone is different”