Multiple Sclerosis (MS) team
The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) team provides assessment, advice and information for people with a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis.
Services we provide
- Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
- One-to-one appointments, including face-to-face, on the telephone or via video call
- Group sessions for people newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
- Help and advice on how to manage multiple sclerosis symptoms
- Disease modifying therapies (DMTs)
Our team
Our multiple sclerosis (MS) team consists of:
- Dr Roswell Martin, consultant neurologist (Jenny Cox, medical secretary)
- Professor Neil Scolding, consultant neurologist (Kirsty Cole, medical secretary)
- Lucy Cowmeadow, lead MS nurse
- Erin Howells, MS nurse
- Grace Riley, MS pharmacist
- Yasmina Nicholson, secretary to the MS team
We also work closely with other NHS department such as the bladder and bowel nurses, speech and language therapists (also known as ‘SALT’), physiotherapists (PTs), occupational therapists (OTs) and psychologists.
How to get in touch
You may wish to get in touch about:
- New symptoms or a suspected relapse
- Questions about your medication
- Test results (please note it can take up to 8 weeks to receive MRI reports in busy periods)
- Arranging infusions or other treatments
For more information about our services, or for any other enquires, please contact the MS advice line and secretary on:
Tel: 0300 422 6404 (8.00am-4pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays))
Email: ghn-tr.msteamglos@nhs.net
When corresponding by email, or leaving a message on the advice line number, please include your full name and date of birth so we can access your medical notes.
What to do if you suspect you are having a relapse
You can contact our dedicated MS advice line on 0300 422 6404 8.00am-4pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). There may not always be someone available to answer the phone, so please leave a message with your name, contact details and a brief description of the problem.
Our nurses will aim to call you back as soon as possible to assess your symptoms, and organise further tests and treatments if needed. They may ask you about:
- What symptoms you are experiencing
- When they started
- Whether your symptoms are stopping you from doing anything you can normally manage
- If you have been unwell or showing signs of an infection
This is not an emergency service. If you are experiencing symptoms which need urgent or same day advice, please contact your GP, NHS 111 or 999 accordingly.
You may wish to visit the MS Trust ‘Managing Relapses’ webpage for further information about identifying relapses before getting in touch or while you await a call back from one of our nurses.
Blood tests
If you have been asked to do a blood test, you can do so at Cheltenham General Hospital or Gloucestershire Royal Hospital without an appointment. Please see the phlebotomy department opening times
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans
If you have been asked to attend an MRI scan as part of the diagnosis or monitoring of your MS, you can find more information about what to expect in our Patient Information leaflet
If you are experiencing symptoms that need urgent or same-day advice, please contact your GP, NHS 111 or 999 accordingly.
Useful links
The MS Trust is a UK charity providing high quality information about many aspects of MS including ‘managing relapses’, health and wellbeing and detailed information about drug treatments.
The MS Society is a UK charity funding research and resources for people with MS. They also have high-quality information about many aspects of MS including symptom management and drug treatments.
MS-UK is a UK charity providing information about MS symptoms, drug treatments, online courses and workshops. They also have a helpline accessible via phone, WhatsApp, email and webchat.
The Charcot therapy centre is an organisation working with people in the Gloucestershire area living with long-term health conditions, specialising in Multiple Sclerosis and other neurological disorders.
Longfield community hospice: Longfield Services are available to adults living in Gloucestershire diagnosed with a range of conditions, such as multiple sclerosis. They provide a range of services including fatigue management courses.