Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common potentially disabling disease of the central nervous system affecting young adults. The lifetime risk is about 1:500 in the UK and there is a slight excess risk in females (it affects three times more females than males).

Onset is usually in early adult life, but children and adolescents can be affected. Multiple sclerosis is a disorder of the central nervous system marked by weakness, numbness, a loss of muscle coordination, and problems with vision, speech, and bladder control.

It is thought to be an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system destroys myelin. Myelin is a substance that acts as a nerve insulator and helps in the transmission of nerve signals.

The Walton Centre MS service

The MS service at The Walton Centre provides a comprehensive multidisciplinary service aiming to assess health needs of people with MS. We provide a full range of hospital-based treatments, with referral to community services for non-specialist management. Specialist MS clinics take place at The Walton Centre, Countess of Chester Hospital and Glan Clwyd.

In addition to this, the Trust has developed a service for patients with neuromyelitis optica, for which is one of only two nationally designated centres in the UK.

Treatments, services and procedures performed

Diagnostic clinics
Multidisciplinary treatment clinics
Therapy clinics
Relapse clinic
Functional electrical stimulation clinic
Vestibular clinic
Occupation clinic
Fatigue clinic
Orthoptic clinic
Educational programmes (fatigue management and exercise education)
MS nurse clinics and telephone advice line

Service contact information

Specialist MS Nurses (The Walton Centre and North Wales): 0151 556 4008 (available 9am - 4pm)
MS Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist and Orthoptist – 0151 556 3742

Referral information

Referral is by clinician to clinician via The Walton Centre Patient Access Centre.

Patient leaflets

Multiple sclerosis - bladder symptoms

Multiple sclerosis - constipation

Multiple sclerosis – neurological long-term conditions and therapy team

Multiple sclerosis – pelvic floor exercises

Multiple sclerosis – specialist nurse service

Neurological long-term for professionals

Consultants

Dr Sundus Alusi

Dr Jay Panicker