MS nurse’s caseload nearly 4 times limit
But Mhairi’s work ‘lifeline’ to her patients
The crisis in the care of multiple sclerosis patients in Lanarkshire has been exposed with the resignation of the county’s only specialist nurse.
Mhairi Coutts handed in her notice after working with a caseload of 1200 people – almost FOUR times the recommended limit.
It revealed a serious staffing problem across Scotland, with the MS Society Scotland stating that there is a widespread lack of specialist nurses to look after sufferers at home.
Director Morna Simpkins said: “This is particularly visible in Lanarkshire, where there is only one MS specialist nurse post. This is unsustainable and has significant implications for people with MS in the area.
“These issues have been flagged with NHS Lanarkshire repeatedly yet little action has been taken to improve the situation.”
The Multiple Sclerosis Trust recommend one specialist nurse for every 358 patients, but Mhairi’s workload was far in excess of this.
Some of those patients spoke of their concerns that Mhairi is leaving.
Emma Smith (35) from Hamilton, discovered she had MS six years ago. She said: “It is hardly surprising Mhairi has gone. She must have been under huge amounts of stress with all those patients.
“It is disgraceful there is only one MS nurse for the whole of Lanarkshire. We really need at least three nurses.” Central Scotland MSP Monica Lennon said the loss of the nurse was “a devastating blow to MS patients”. She added: “Despite being overloaded with cases, my constituents tell me their MS nurse has been a lifeline to them. “I’ve written to the Health Secretary because the SNP Government can’t keep pretending everything is fine when it’s clear resources are not meeting the reality of patients’ needs.” Local health chiefs said they are trying to find a replacement to fill the vacant post. Maria Docherty, nurse director of South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “We have acted quickly to start recruiting a replacement MS specialist nurse. We have also put in place cover provided by very experienced nurses with advanced clinical skills and some experience of dealing with patients with MS. “Covering arrangements will remain in place until a new MS specialist nurse starts and we will ensure patients receive whatever support they need during this time to continue their safe and appropriate care. “We are disappointed and concerned that despite this robust and safety-driven approach, some people have chosen to scaremonger and needlessly raise patient anxieties about the current situation.” Docherty also said they were working with the MS Trust to provide a second nurse specialist.