Translating policy into practice: developing a gold standard multiple sclerosis service in Leeds

In recent years, there have been advances in the understanding of multiple sclerosis and the treatments available, particularly for relapsing forms of the condition. Yet too many people with multiple sclerosis still experience delays in diagnosis, fragmented care and a lack of personalised support – especially those living with progressive multiple sclerosis. These gaps have been made more visible by growing pressures across the NHS. At a policy level, there is now a new adult neurology service specification and a separate multiple sclerosis service specification, as well as a national multiple sclerosis optimal pathway, and an England data dashboard that provides explicit information about the delivery of services to people with multiple sclerosis. If all of these elements of policy are implemented, this should significantly improve the way multiple sclerosisservices are delivered. While many areas are still coming to grips with what this all means, the Leeds multiple sclerosis service has already been working towards development of a gold standard multiple sclerosis service that will meet the aims of policy. This article outlines how the service and clinicians in Leeds are developing policy into practice.