North Wiltshire MP James Gray has tabled three Parliamentary motions (Early Day Motions) to the House of Commons this week, drawing attention to issues affecting sufferers of Multiple Sclerosis and praising the work of the MS Society.

Speaking from Westminster this morning, Mr Gray said: "I hope that my colleagues will pledge their support for MS sufferers and their carers by signing the three motions I have tabled on MS National Therapy Centres, MS Nurses and Childhood MS."

"The Government has still not committed itself fully to the care of people with this unpredictable and often devastating condition. Therapy Centres are charged fees for inspection, many specialist MS nursing posts are still under threat and disease-modifying therapies are not automatically available to children with MS."

"I hope my three EDMs will contribute to my colleagues’ understanding of the problems facing MS sufferers and their families and that many of my fellow MPs will assist me in challenging the Government on these issues."

EDM 340
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS NATIONAL THERAPY CENTRES
21.11.2007
Gray, James

That this House praises Multiple Sclerosis National Therapy Centres (MSNTCs) which offer invaluable assistance to thousands of MS sufferers and their families in England and Wales by providing a wide range of drug-free symptom management therapies, advice and support; notes that MSNTCs are non-profit-making charities which raise about £6 million annually, which is used entirely to meet their cost; is concerned at the Healthcare Commission's decision to impose charges for inspection of MSNTCs; further notes that these fees will have a very serious impact, making MSNTCs the only non-profit-making bodies charged these fees; further notes that Welsh MSNTCs are exempt from charges; and calls on the Government to review the Healthcare Commission's decision on inspection charges.

EDM 341
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS NURSES
21.11.2007
Gray, James

That this House believes that multiple sclerosis (MS) nurses provide a vital range of specialist services that are not available elsewhere; notes that the MS Society fears that a quarter of specialist posts may be at risk, despite the Government's long-standing commitment to fund their posts and recognises the financial savings they provide to the NHS; and calls upon the Government to do more to renew its original commitment to the role MS nurses play for the 85,000 people living with multiple sclerosis.

EDM 342
CHILDHOOD MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
21.11.2007
Gray, James

That this House believes that the current understanding of childhood multiple sclerosis (MS) among health professionals is too low and that some are unaware that the condition can occur in children at all; notes that disease modifying therapies are not automatically available to children with MS through the NHS and that there are few specialist services; further notes that childhood MS can have a huge impact on the educational, social and economic outcomes for children living with the condition; and commends the MS Society for its work to improve the care and support available to children with MS and their families.