Map of local services and MS specialist centres
Changes and additions
This map contains information on MS services and other useful groups across the UK. Information is being added all the time and we are grateful to people around the UK for suggesting changes and additions.
For some information, there are already maps available elsewhere. There are links to these under the More information on services heading.
Suggesting new items
If you would like to add a service that fits into one of the categories covered (listed in the panel to the right of the map), please send the following information to the MS Trust:
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Contact details
This can include postal address, email, phone number and website. We do need an address or postcode so we can add the marker to the map (please mark that if don't want this information included in the record). If there is a named contact, this information can be included.
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Referral details
Please indicate if the service requires contact to be made in a particular way, eg. via a GP or health professional, or if people can self refer
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Area covered
If the service is restricted to people in a specific area, please include this information
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Further information
Brief extra details about the service
Please remember that the map is available to all visitors of the site so only provide that information you wish to make public.
Amending existing items
Please report any errors or omissions to the MS Trust.
More information on services
Advocacy Services
Advocacy is defined as helping people to secure their rights and obtain services they need. Advocacy schemes work in partnership with the people they support to help them make their views known. Schemes cover different areas of need, including help with benefit claims and securing appropriate social care and many focus on a particular client group such as older people, people with a disability or people from an ethnic group.
- For more information on advocacy services:
- Action For Advocacy - (England and Wales)
- Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance
- Advice NI - (Northern Ireland)
Carers groups
- For more local groups for carers see:
- Carers Trust (England, Scotland, Wales)
- The Carers Trust was formed by the merger of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads. In Scotland the charity is still known as the Princess Royal Trust for Carers
- Crossroads (Northern Ireland)
- Young Carers
Disability Living Centres
Disabled Living Centres provide information and advice about equipment to help with daily living. Centres usually have a permanent exhibition of products and equipment that visitors can try out.
Assist UK is the national network for Disabled Living Centres.
MS nurses
MS specialist nurses provide specialist clinical advice and support to people with MS. They often act to co-ordinate services for people with MS, referring someone on to a doctor, or a therapist, or other appropriate services. Unfortunately, although there are now about 200 MS nurses in the UK, some areas are still not covered.
How to get in contact varies from nurse to nurse. Click on the marker on the map for details. If there are no direct contact details given, ask your GP or neurologist to refer you. If there are contact details, these will probably be to an answerphone in the first instance. The nurse will reply, but it will probably not be on the same day.
MS specialist occupational therapists
The main aim of occupational therapy (OT) is to help people continue to live life as fully as possible, despite a disability. Very often OTs do this by visiting the individual in their home or workplace and making simple suggestions for changes in lifestyle, or useful equipment and adaptations. Some OTs also run fatigue management courses.
Although there are relatively few MS specialist occupational therapists, general OT services are available through local social services departments or through local health services. A GP should be able to make a referral.
MS specialist physiotherapists
Physiotherapy can be a valuable treatment for many MS symptoms and is particularly useful for managing muscle stiffness (spasticity), balance problems and spasms. It is seen as especially helpful in promoting activity and exercise for people with MS.
GPs or neurologists can normally make a referral to a physiotherapist. NHS access for people with long-term conditions may be limited to six sessions in every two-year period. Many MS Therapy Centres (listed on this map) also provide access to physiotherapy for people with MS.
MS specialist therapists (other)
Depending on the symptoms experienced, there are an number of different health professionals that may be involved in the treatment of someone with MS. These might include a speech and language therapist, dietician or orthoptist.
Local support centres/groups
Local support groups can offer a variety of services ranging from occasional meetings to share experiences and concerns with people in a similar situation, through to benefit advice, access to therapies and other forms of support.
As well as the independent groups listed here, the MS Society has more than 300 branches around the country.
Many of the MS Therapy Centres listed on this map also operate support groups and social events.
Some people are more comfortable joining online support groups rather than going to meetings.
MS Therapy Centres
MS Therapy Centres are local charities that provide a range of non drug therapies for people with MS. Therapies offered by Centres vary but can include physiotherapy, yoga, reflexology, pilates and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Centres often also provide help through drop in facilities or support groups.
Although there are a number of independent centres, many belong to the main umbrella group:
MS Trust
The MS Trust is the definitive source of health information for people living and working with multiple sclerosis.
The MS Trust provides information for anyone affected by multiple sclerosis, education programmes for health professionals working with people with MS, funding for practical research and campaigns for specialist multiple sclerosis services.
Driving assessment centres
Driving assessment centres offer information on adaptations for people who use cars - either as driver or passenger. The centres offer driving ability assessments to help decide which type of vehicle is most suitable and can also advise on any adaptations to the vehicle that might be helpful.
The Forum of Mobility Centres is the national network for driving assessment centres.
Rehabilitation services
Rehabilitation involves helping an individual to achieve their personal goals. It is an active process of partnership between an individual and other agencies to overcome or circumvent difficulties; to develop new strategies; and perhaps to develop new interests if existing activities are no longer possible.
Neurological rehabilitation refers to the specific area of supporting people with neurological problems. Specialists will see people with a variety of different diagnoses, but who often experience very similar problems such as fatigue, spasticity, pain, bladder difficulties and memory difficulties.
Resource centres
Centres providing NHS equipment for people with a disability. Also includes wheelchair services.
Respite organisations
Respite services offer short-term residential care to allow people with MS to have a break from the home environment and also to allow family members or carers to have a little time to themselves.
See also Respite in the A to Z of MS
Specialist continence services
Continence services are available in many areas around the country. These teams of nurses can advise on problems relating to bladder and bowel problems and provide medication or products that can reduce the impact of these symptoms.
To find services, contact NHS Choices or look in the phone directory under the local primary care trust (PCT) or health board. A GP will also be able to refer.
The Bladder and Bowel Foundation have a helpline (0845 345 0165 or info@bladderandbowelfoundation.org) that can direct people to local service.
Specialist MS centres
The first recommendation of the NICE Guideline for the management of MS states that everyone with MS should have access to specialist neurological services when they need them. However, for many this can be a hit and miss experience.
The centres listed have true expertise in the management of multiple sclerosis, commonly a specialist nurse service, and many have the ability to offer disease modifying drug therapy where and when appropriate.
Help using the map of local services
Navigating around the map using your mouse
To zoom in, double click on the site you want to zoom into with the left mouse button
To zoom out, double click with the right mouse button
To move around the map, hold down the left mouse button and drag the map around the screen.
You can also drag the blue box in the small map in the bottom right to find the area you want to see in the larger map. If the small map isn't visible, click on the 
diagonal arrow in the bottom right corner of the map.
Navigating around the map using the slider
The slider is in the top left corner of the map
To zoom in, click 
or drag the slider up
To zoom out, click 
or drag the slider down
To move around the map, click the appropriate arrow buttons
To return to the default view of the whole country, click on 
Markers
When you first come to the map, no markers are shown. This is to help you find where you want to search. When you start to zoom in, markers will become visible. Use the menu above the map to choose which type of marker you would like to see.
A key showing which colour represents each service is shown on the left of the map and extra information about each type of service appears below the map.
Views
There are three views of the map available in the top right.
Map Shows a map of the country, from whole country down to street names.
Satellite Shows the country in aerial photography. The full zoom is not available for all parts of the country in this view.
Hybrid Shows aerial photographs with town and street names superimposed.
Whilst every effort has been made to place markers accurately, the location shown indicates the correct street or the correct complex but not always the exact location of services.