Released on November 25, 2014
An independent panel wants Saskatchewan multiple sclerosis patients, their caregivers and health care providers to weigh in on possible health service improvements and research that would benefit people living with MS.
The survey will be open until December 31, 2014. The panel will take the feedback into consideration in making its recommendations to the Ministry of Health early in the new year.
“I encourage people affected by MS to use this survey to identify issues that are important to them,” Health Minister Dustin Duncan said. “I look forward to receiving the panel’s recommendations on opportunities for government to support research and improvements in services.”
The Ministry of Health and the MS Society of Canada’s Saskatchewan Division are providing logistical support to the panel in delivering the survey.
“We are pleased to be able to offer help to anyone who has difficulty participating in an online survey,” MS Society of Canada - Saskatchewan Division President Erin Kuan said. “People without internet access, or who for other reasons need to provide their survey responses verbally, can contact our office for confidential assistance.”
Please visit www.health.gov.sk.ca/multiple-sclerosis to access the online survey or if you need to provide a verbal survey response, call the MS Society at 1-800-268-7582.
The MS Advisory Panel was announced in July 2014, with members that include MS patients and family representatives, researchers and medical specialists, as well as representatives from health organizations, the MS Society of Canada and the provincial Office of Disability Issues.
The panel will provide specific recommendations to the Ministry of Health on opportunities for:
- Saskatchewan patients to participate in credible MS clinical trials that focus on improving patients’ condition and/or symptom relief;
- Support and/or education services to improve the care experience of patients living with MS; and
- Support of MS research and opportunities to enhance MS research capacity in Saskatchewan.
MS is a degenerative neurological disease that impairs or destroys the function of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. About 3,700 Saskatchewan people are affected.
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For more information, contact:
Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: tmcmurchy@health.gov.sk.ca