The Government is committed to improving access to high‑quality care and treatment for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other progressive neurological conditions.

Through NHS England’s Neurology Transformation Programme, a new model of integrated care has also been developed to support integrated care boards (ICBs) to deliver the right service, at the right time for all neurology patients. This focuses on providing access equitably across the country, with care as close to home as possible, and early intervention to prevent illness and deterioration in patients with long-term neurological conditions, including MS. A toolkit was developed to support ICBs to understand and implement this new model, which includes components on delivering acute neurology services, improving health equity in neurology, and improving community neurology services.

NHS England has published an updated service specification for specialised neurology services, including MS, which sets out clear expectations for proactive, coordinated care to reduce the risk of avoidable complications and emphasises early identification of clinical risks, personalised care planning, and timely access to multidisciplinary support, including specialist nurses, therapists, and community services.

In addition, the GIRFT Programme for Neurology, the RightCare Progressive Neurological Conditions Toolkit, and the model of integrated neurology care developed through the Neurology Transformation Programme support greater consistency, coordination, and sharing of best practice across local systems and geographical areas. NHS England has developed national neurology dashboards, including an MS data dashboard and an interactive adult neurology dashboard, to support systems in monitoring service delivery, benchmarking performance, and understanding the quality of local neurology services.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued guidance on the use of disease‑modifying therapies for MS, supporting clinicians to offer clinically- and cost‑effective treatments based on the best available evidence. ICBs are expected to have regard to NICE guidance to ensure patients can access high‑quality care and treatment. NHS England also supports the implementation of treatment algorithms to promote consistent prescribing and reduce unwarranted variation in access to high‑efficacy therapies.

The 10-Year Health Plan will also support improved care and outcomes for people with MS by focusing on earlier diagnosis, more timely access to specialist treatment, and more coordinated, community‑based care. It will prioritise reducing unwarranted variation in services and strengthening multidisciplinary support, helping people with MS to manage their condition more effectively and maintain their quality of life.

Finally, a UK-wide neuro forum has been convened, bringing together the governments, health services, and Neurological Alliances of all four UK nations. The forum will share learnings across the UK, and discuss important neurology services transformation and workforce challenges, as well as best practice examples and potential solutions.

The Government is committed to improving access to high‑quality care and treatment for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other progressive neurological conditions.

Through NHS England’s Neurology Transformation Programme, a new model of integrated care has also been developed to support integrated care boards (ICBs) to deliver the right service, at the right time for all neurology patients. This focuses on providing access equitably across the country, with care as close to home as possible, and early intervention to prevent illness and deterioration in patients with long-term neurological conditions, including MS. A toolkit was developed to support ICBs to understand and implement this new model, which includes components on delivering acute neurology services, improving health equity in neurology, and improving community neurology services.

NHS England has published an updated service specification for specialised neurology services, including MS, which sets out clear expectations for proactive, coordinated care to reduce the risk of avoidable complications and emphasises early identification of clinical risks, personalised care planning, and timely access to multidisciplinary support, including specialist nurses, therapists, and community services.

In addition, the GIRFT Programme for Neurology, the RightCare Progressive Neurological Conditions Toolkit, and the model of integrated neurology care developed through the Neurology Transformation Programme support greater consistency, coordination, and sharing of best practice across local systems and geographical areas. NHS England has developed national neurology dashboards, including an MS data dashboard and an interactive adult neurology dashboard, to support systems in monitoring service delivery, benchmarking performance, and understanding the quality of local neurology services.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued guidance on the use of disease‑modifying therapies for MS, supporting clinicians to offer clinically- and cost‑effective treatments based on the best available evidence. ICBs are expected to have regard to NICE guidance to ensure patients can access high‑quality care and treatment. NHS England also supports the implementation of treatment algorithms to promote consistent prescribing and reduce unwarranted variation in access to high‑efficacy therapies.

The 10-Year Health Plan will also support improved care and outcomes for people with MS by focusing on earlier diagnosis, more timely access to specialist treatment, and more coordinated, community‑based care. It will prioritise reducing unwarranted variation in services and strengthening multidisciplinary support, helping people with MS to manage their condition more effectively and maintain their quality of life.

Finally, a UK-wide neuro forum has been convened, bringing together the governments, health services, and Neurological Alliances of all four UK nations. The forum will share learnings across the UK, and discuss important neurology services transformation and workforce challenges, as well as best practice examples and potential solutions.

The Government is committed to improving access to high‑quality care and treatment for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other progressive neurological conditions.

Through NHS England’s Neurology Transformation Programme, a new model of integrated care has also been developed to support integrated care boards (ICBs) to deliver the right service, at the right time for all neurology patients. This focuses on providing access equitably across the country, with care as close to home as possible, and early intervention to prevent illness and deterioration in patients with long-term neurological conditions, including MS. A toolkit was developed to support ICBs to understand and implement this new model, which includes components on delivering acute neurology services, improving health equity in neurology, and improving community neurology services.

NHS England has published an updated service specification for specialised neurology services, including MS, which sets out clear expectations for proactive, coordinated care to reduce the risk of avoidable complications and emphasises early identification of clinical risks, personalised care planning, and timely access to multidisciplinary support, including specialist nurses, therapists, and community services.

In addition, the GIRFT Programme for Neurology, the RightCare Progressive Neurological Conditions Toolkit, and the model of integrated neurology care developed through the Neurology Transformation Programme support greater consistency, coordination, and sharing of best practice across local systems and geographical areas. NHS England has developed national neurology dashboards, including an MS data dashboard and an interactive adult neurology dashboard, to support systems in monitoring service delivery, benchmarking performance, and understanding the quality of local neurology services.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued guidance on the use of disease‑modifying therapies for MS, supporting clinicians to offer clinically- and cost‑effective treatments based on the best available evidence. ICBs are expected to have regard to NICE guidance to ensure patients can access high‑quality care and treatment. NHS England also supports the implementation of treatment algorithms to promote consistent prescribing and reduce unwarranted variation in access to high‑efficacy therapies.

The 10-Year Health Plan will also support improved care and outcomes for people with MS by focusing on earlier diagnosis, more timely access to specialist treatment, and more coordinated, community‑based care. It will prioritise reducing unwarranted variation in services and strengthening multidisciplinary support, helping people with MS to manage their condition more effectively and maintain their quality of life.

Finally, a UK-wide neuro forum has been convened, bringing together the governments, health services, and Neurological Alliances of all four UK nations. The forum will share learnings across the UK, and discuss important neurology services transformation and workforce challenges, as well as best practice examples and potential solutions.

The Government is committed to improving access to high‑quality care and treatment for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other progressive neurological conditions.

Through NHS England’s Neurology Transformation Programme, a new model of integrated care has also been developed to support integrated care boards (ICBs) to deliver the right service, at the right time for all neurology patients. This focuses on providing access equitably across the country, with care as close to home as possible, and early intervention to prevent illness and deterioration in patients with long-term neurological conditions, including MS. A toolkit was developed to support ICBs to understand and implement this new model, which includes components on delivering acute neurology services, improving health equity in neurology, and improving community neurology services.

NHS England has published an updated service specification for specialised neurology services, including MS, which sets out clear expectations for proactive, coordinated care to reduce the risk of avoidable complications and emphasises early identification of clinical risks, personalised care planning, and timely access to multidisciplinary support, including specialist nurses, therapists, and community services.

In addition, the GIRFT Programme for Neurology, the RightCare Progressive Neurological Conditions Toolkit, and the model of integrated neurology care developed through the Neurology Transformation Programme support greater consistency, coordination, and sharing of best practice across local systems and geographical areas. NHS England has developed national neurology dashboards, including an MS data dashboard and an interactive adult neurology dashboard, to support systems in monitoring service delivery, benchmarking performance, and understanding the quality of local neurology services.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued guidance on the use of disease‑modifying therapies for MS, supporting clinicians to offer clinically- and cost‑effective treatments based on the best available evidence. ICBs are expected to have regard to NICE guidance to ensure patients can access high‑quality care and treatment. NHS England also supports the implementation of treatment algorithms to promote consistent prescribing and reduce unwarranted variation in access to high‑efficacy therapies.

The 10-Year Health Plan will also support improved care and outcomes for people with MS by focusing on earlier diagnosis, more timely access to specialist treatment, and more coordinated, community‑based care. It will prioritise reducing unwarranted variation in services and strengthening multidisciplinary support, helping people with MS to manage their condition more effectively and maintain their quality of life.

Finally, a UK-wide neuro forum has been convened, bringing together the governments, health services, and Neurological Alliances of all four UK nations. The forum will share learnings across the UK, and discuss important neurology services transformation and workforce challenges, as well as best practice examples and potential solutions.

The Government is committed to improving access to high‑quality care and treatment for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other progressive neurological conditions.

Through NHS England’s Neurology Transformation Programme, a new model of integrated care has also been developed to support integrated care boards (ICBs) to deliver the right service, at the right time for all neurology patients. This focuses on providing access equitably across the country, with care as close to home as possible, and early intervention to prevent illness and deterioration in patients with long-term neurological conditions, including MS. A toolkit was developed to support ICBs to understand and implement this new model, which includes components on delivering acute neurology services, improving health equity in neurology, and improving community neurology services.

NHS England has published an updated service specification for specialised neurology services, including MS, which sets out clear expectations for proactive, coordinated care to reduce the risk of avoidable complications and emphasises early identification of clinical risks, personalised care planning, and timely access to multidisciplinary support, including specialist nurses, therapists, and community services.

In addition, the GIRFT Programme for Neurology, the RightCare Progressive Neurological Conditions Toolkit, and the model of integrated neurology care developed through the Neurology Transformation Programme support greater consistency, coordination, and sharing of best practice across local systems and geographical areas. NHS England has developed national neurology dashboards, including an MS data dashboard and an interactive adult neurology dashboard, to support systems in monitoring service delivery, benchmarking performance, and understanding the quality of local neurology services.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued guidance on the use of disease‑modifying therapies for MS, supporting clinicians to offer clinically- and cost‑effective treatments based on the best available evidence. ICBs are expected to have regard to NICE guidance to ensure patients can access high‑quality care and treatment. NHS England also supports the implementation of treatment algorithms to promote consistent prescribing and reduce unwarranted variation in access to high‑efficacy therapies.

The 10-Year Health Plan will also support improved care and outcomes for people with MS by focusing on earlier diagnosis, more timely access to specialist treatment, and more coordinated, community‑based care. It will prioritise reducing unwarranted variation in services and strengthening multidisciplinary support, helping people with MS to manage their condition more effectively and maintain their quality of life.

Finally, a UK-wide neuro forum has been convened, bringing together the governments, health services, and Neurological Alliances of all four UK nations. The forum will share learnings across the UK, and discuss important neurology services transformation and workforce challenges, as well as best practice examples and potential solutions.

The Government is committed to improving access to high‑quality care and treatment for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other progressive neurological conditions, including in Broxtowe and Nottinghamshire. NHS England has published a service specification for specialised neurology services, which aims to ensure that patients receive coordinated, multidisciplinary care and timely access to appropriate treatments.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has issued guidance on the use of disease‑modifying therapies for MS, supporting clinicians to offer clinically and cost‑effective treatments based on the best available evidence. NHS England also supports the implementation of treatment algorithms to promote consistent prescribing and reduce unwarranted variation in access to high‑efficacy therapies.

In addition, programmes such as Getting It Right First Time are helping to improve outcomes and reduce variation in neurological care across the country. NHS RightCare’s progressive neurological conditions toolkit supports improved outcomes for people with MS by helping local systems identify and address unwarranted variation in care, and by setting out evidence‑based pathways for timely diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management. The toolkit promotes a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach and emphasises proactive management of symptoms and complications.

The 10-Year Health Plan will also support improved care and outcomes for people with MS by focusing on earlier diagnosis, more timely access to specialist treatment, and more coordinated, community‑based care. It will prioritise reducing unwarranted variation in services and strengthening multidisciplinary support, helping people with MS to manage their condition more effectively and maintain their quality of life.

Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning services to meet the needs of their local populations and are expected to have regard to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and other guidance to ensure patients can access high‑quality care and treatment.

Nabiximols is the United States Adopted Name for the medication marketed as Sativex (dronabinol/cannabidiol) and licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for symptom improvement in adult patients with moderate to severe spasticity due to multiple sclerosis.

The attached table shows the number of identifiable patients who were prescribed Sativex in the community in England by integrated care board in each financial year from 2023 to 2026 and from April 2026 to June 2026. The NHS Business Services Authority does not hold information on patient condition or reasons for why Sativex has been prescribed.

The Department has made no assessment of the levels of variation in access to Sativex for multiple-sclerosis related spasticity. National Health Service commissioners are expected to take National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines fully into account in ensuring that services meet the needs of their local populations. NICE keeps its guidelines under review and would consider the need to update its recommendations on Sativex in light of any new evidence.

Nabiximols is the United States Adopted Name for the medication marketed as Sativex (dronabinol/cannabidiol) and licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for symptom improvement in adult patients with moderate to severe spasticity due to multiple sclerosis.

The attached table shows the number of identifiable patients who were prescribed Sativex in the community in England by integrated care board in each financial year from 2023 to 2026 and from April 2026 to June 2026. The NHS Business Services Authority does not hold information on patient condition or reasons for why Sativex has been prescribed.

The Department has made no assessment of the levels of variation in access to Sativex for multiple-sclerosis related spasticity. National Health Service commissioners are expected to take National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines fully into account in ensuring that services meet the needs of their local populations. NICE keeps its guidelines under review and would consider the need to update its recommendations on Sativex in light of any new evidence.

Nabiximols is the United States Adopted Name for the medication marketed as Sativex (dronabinol/cannabidiol) and licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for symptom improvement in adult patients with moderate to severe spasticity due to multiple sclerosis.

The attached table shows the number of identifiable patients who were prescribed Sativex in the community in England by integrated care board in each financial year from 2023 to 2026 and from April 2026 to June 2026. The NHS Business Services Authority does not hold information on patient condition or reasons for why Sativex has been prescribed.

The Department has made no assessment of the levels of variation in access to Sativex for multiple-sclerosis related spasticity. National Health Service commissioners are expected to take National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines fully into account in ensuring that services meet the needs of their local populations. NICE keeps its guidelines under review and would consider the need to update its recommendations on Sativex in light of any new evidence.

The Department is committed to improving access to high‑quality care and treatment for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), including in Lincolnshire. NHS England has published a service specification for specialised neurology services, which aims to ensure that patients receive coordinated, multidisciplinary care and timely access to appropriate treatments.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has issued guidance on the use of disease‑modifying therapies for MS, supporting clinicians to offer clinically- and cost‑effective treatments based on the best available evidence. NHS England also supports the implementation of treatment algorithms to promote consistent prescribing and reduce unwarranted variation in access to high‑efficacy therapies.

In addition, programmes such as Getting It Right First Time are helping to improve outcomes and reduce variation in neurological care across the country. NHS RightCare’s progressive neurological conditions toolkit supports improved outcomes for people with MS by helping local systems identify and address unwarranted variation in care, and by setting out evidence‑based pathways for timely diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management. The toolkit promotes a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach and emphasises proactive management of symptoms and complications.

The 10-Year Health Plan will also support improved care and outcomes for people with MS by focusing on earlier diagnosis, more timely access to specialist treatment, and more coordinated, community‑based care. It will prioritise reducing unwarranted variation in services and strengthening multidisciplinary support, helping people with MS to manage their condition more effectively and maintain their quality of life.

Integrated care boards (ICBs), including the NHS Lincolnshire ICB, are responsible for commissioning services to meet the needs of their local populations and are expected to have regard to NICE and other guidance to ensure patients can access high‑quality care and treatment.

Disabled people and people with long-term health conditions have a lower rate of employment. The employment rate for disabled people was 53.1% in Q1 2026 and 64.1% for people with long-term health conditions, compared to 82.2% for non-disabled people. Disabled people are also less likely to move into employment – on average, between 2014 and 2024, workless disabled people moved into work at nearly one-third of the rate (7.6%) of workless non-disabled people (28.3%).

Disabled people and people with health conditions, including those with Multiple Sclerosis, are a diverse group so access to the right work and health support, in the right place, at the right time, is key. DWP has a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including those that join up employment and health systems. Measures include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres and Access to Work grants, as well as joining up health and employment support around the individual through Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies, and WorkWell. Additionally, the JWHD has developed a digital information service for employers and continues to oversee the Disability Confident Scheme.

Sir Charlie Mayfield’s independent Keep Britain Working Report, published in November 2025, assessed that there are disparities across different workplaces in the UK in the levels of effective support for employees and employers or line managers. It set out recommendations to reshape how government works with employers to improve work and health outcomes through creating healthier, more inclusive workplaces. We are now working with volunteer employers, providers and regions through a Vanguard Phase to test and refine approaches to help disabled workers and workers with long-term health conditions, including workers living with Multiple Sclerosis, receive the support they need to remain and thrive in employment. These include developing effective stay in work and return to work practices, strengthening prevention, and building the evidence needed to spread good practice.

The Government recognises that there is geographical variation in England in the proportion of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who are started on high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies (DMDs) and is committed to improving equitable access to the most appropriate treatments in line with clinical need.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence provides evidence-based guidance on the use of DMDs for MS, including both high-efficacy and escalation approaches, to support clinicians and commissioners in making treatment decisions. NHS England’s treatment algorithm for MS DMDs provides a framework to aid decision-making for MS specialists and patients, to help reduce excessive variation in practice, and to ensure safe and effective prescribing. NHS England is also supporting improvement through programmes such as Getting It Right First Time, which help identify unwarranted variation and promote best practice across systems.

In addition, national audit and data collections, including the UK MS Register, provide insights into treatment patterns and outcomes, supporting clinicians and systems to benchmark performance and drive improvement.

Through these combined measures, the Department and NHS England are working to reduce unwarranted variation and ensure that people with MS are able to access the most appropriate therapies for their condition, based on clinical evidence and individual circumstances.

Integrated care boards (ICBs), including the NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB, which covers Newcastle-under-Lyme, is responsible for commissioning services for their local population, including for those with multiple sclerosis (MS). The Government expects ICBs to assess the demand for service provision when designing their local services.

At the national level, initiatives such as NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time programme and the NHS RightCare Progressive Neurological Conditions toolkit both aim to reduce unwarranted variation in services and improve equity of care for people with MS.

NHS England’s Neurology Transformation Programme developed a new model of integrated care for neurology services, to support systems to deliver the right service, at the right time for all neurology patients, including those with MS. This focused on providing equitable access across the country, care as close to home as possible, and early intervention to prevent illness and deterioration in patients with long-term neurological conditions.

The Neurology Transformation Programme developed guidance on improving access to disease-modifying treatments for MS with the aim of enabling people to receive care closer to home. The guidance includes successful delivery models and good practice case studies, and has been made available to National Health Service colleagues.

The Neurology Transformation Programme worked with a number of systems across England to implement change and also to assess the impact on access to specialised neurology care, including care from specialist nurses, for people living with MS.

On 13 August 2025, NHS England updated its service specification for specialised adult neurology services, following extensive consultation. The service specification includes guidance on both the specialised and core neurology services that should be available for patients with MS, with a clear model for networked care to improve access to specialist services in underserved areas. The service specification outlines that specialised neurology centres must include access to treatment services for MS and must have clear pathways for access to disease-modifying therapies. The service specification is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/specialised-neurology-services-adults-service-specification-august-2025.pdf

All health professionals (HPs) carrying out Personal Independence Payment assessments receive comprehensive training in disability analysis, with a clear focus on understanding the functional effects of a claimant’s condition rather than the diagnosis itself.

To support this approach, the department provides assessment suppliers with core training and guidance materials on a range of conditions including multiple sclerosis. These materials include clinical background information and detail the potential functional impacts of the condition, enabling HPs to deliver informed, consistent and accurate assessments.

In addition, all training and guidance materials are currently subject to a comprehensive review and update. A dedicated team is overseeing this work to ensure alignment with national best practice, helping to ensure that guidance remains accurate, relevant and up to date.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and its assessment suppliers are committed to providing a quality, sensitive and respectful service by conducting accurate and objective assessments. We expect the highest professional standards from our suppliers and that individuals, including those with multiple sclerosis, are treated with dignity and respect throughout the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment process.

Reasonable adjustments can be made to support claimants during the assessment process. Furthermore, companions are actively encouraged to attend assessments and can play an important role in supporting individuals, providing additional information, or helping them manage any anxiety they may experience.

DWP continues to keep its processes under review to ensure that the PIP assessment process is as supportive and accessible as possible for all claimants.

There are currently no plans to expand the medical exemption criteria to include people with multiple sclerosis dependent on long-term medication, and no recent discussions have been held with NHS England on this matter.

People with multiple sclerosis may be eligible for exemption from National Health Service prescription charges for another reason. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition, and whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.

People on low incomes may also qualify for help through the NHS Low Income Scheme, and those who pay prescription charges regularly may be able to reduce costs by buying a prescription prepayment certificate.

At the national level, initiatives such as NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time programme and the NHS RightCare Progressive Neurological Conditions toolkit both aim to reduce unwarranted variation in services and improve equity of care for people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

At the local level, the West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s neurology department provides care to patients with MS in the Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency. The team consists of consultant neurologists, a consultant neurophysiologist, and two specialist nurses. All consultants hold joint appointments with University College London Hospitals or the Royal Free Hospital, giving access to specialised neurological care.

The Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust provides the community neurological rehabilitation service for adults in the Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency. The service provides specialist therapy to patients with long term neurological conditions, including those with MS. Specialist advice and oversight is available from a consultant neurologist where clinically appropriate. The service offers complex care, needs-led intervention, specialist equipment, and self-management support according to intensity of clinical needs.

Yes. I was recently at a roundtable with someone who has multiple sclerosis who described to me the process of applying for PIP as “retraumatising”, rather like when she was initially diagnosed with MS. The steering group is determined to deliver a better system and when we report our recommendations to the Secretary of State in the autumn, I very much hope that that is what we will be able to do.

Last week was Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week. I recently met my constituent Rob Denham to discuss the issues he has had with claiming the personal independence payment in the past—he compared the experience with being put on trial. Will the Minister assure me, Rob and all those suffering with MS that the review that the Government are now conducting will not just make the system more effective and efficient, but make it fairer and more humane?