Data on NW MS schemes does not exist

He said: “Currently, there is no comprehensive dataset of the number and type of dedicated structured patient education and self-management programmes available across Northern Ireland for people with long term conditions, including those with Multiple Sclerosis.”

But the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) is committed to enrolling people with long term conditions on a dedicated chronic condition management programme.

“The year one milestone for 2012-13 is to identify patient education and self-management programmes that are in place in each HSC Trust area, including information about the number and type of programmes, provider organisations, and the number of attendees,” he stated.

“My officials are working with the Public Health Agency to establish a dataset of such programmes for the baseline year 2011-12, and this is on target for completion by 31 March 2013.” he added. The Minister said this would inform priorities for commissioning of patient education and self management programmes into the future.