Advanced MS Champion (AMSC)
What is an AMSC?
An Advanced MS Champion (AMSC) is a specialist health professional (nurse or therapist) who focuses on care for people with complex advanced MS.
The Advanced MS Champion will:
- Work with people across different services to coordinate care and referrals
- Provide specialist, person-centred care to people with advanced MS and their families; helping them understand their condition, manage symptoms, and identify problems.
In Dorset, there are two services which support people with advanced MS, depending on where you live. The AMSC in the Dorset MS Service mainly covers people living in the west and north of the county.
The Community Neurology Service supports people with advanced MS in the east of the county.
Please see this link for further information.
The Dorset MS Service AMSC will see you at home and support you and your family or carers in all aspects of your MS. You may be seen for a short period by the AMSC, if you are having certain difficulties. You may then go back under the care of an MS nurse, or you may remain under the care of the AMSC. You may also be referred to other health care professionals to support you with symptom management in relation to your MS.
There may be times when you may need to be seen more urgently by the AMSC so that they can support you - we aim to see you within 2-3 weeks. If you have any symptoms which are life-threatening, or you need urgent medical attention please call 111/999.
What is Advanced MS?
Advanced MS describes the level of the effect that MS is having on an individual, rather than the type of MS they have.
People with advanced MS have:
- multiple, ongoing, and often complex symptoms which may occur at the same time
- to rely on others for some or all care and support needs
- high levels of disability
MS Trust's Advanced MS Champion Programme
The Dorset MS Service's Advanced MS Champion started as part of the MS Trust’s Advanced MS Champion Programme.
For more information about the programme please see the MS Trust's webpage.
