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Sufferers fear they will be left without appropriate care as health board’s only specialist leaves for a new job

THE crisis in the care of multiple sclerosis patients in Scotland has been exposed after the resignation of one nurse – who looked after 1200 people.

Lanarkshire’s only specialist MS nurse, Mhairi Coutts, handed in her notice after working with a caseload almost four times the recommended limit.

Her patients have been left wondering if anyone with the same skills will replace her when she leaves her post at the end of the month.

It revealed a serious staffing problem across much of Scotland, with the MS Society Scotland stating that there is a widespread lack of specialist nurses to look after sufferers at home.

Their director, Morna Simpkins, said: “Over 11,000 people live with multiple sclerosis in Scotland.

“We need to ensure that these people are receiving the support and care they need to live as well as they can with this unpredictable and sometimes painful condition.

“Central to this support and care is good access to an MS specialist nurse.

“However, there is a huge MS nurse shortage in Scotland which needs to be addressed.