We estimate that there are more than 48,000 people with Advanced MS in the UK, living with multiple and complex symptoms.
The MS Trust report 'MS Forward View' highlighted the number of services unable to offer assessment and treatment intervention for people with progressive MS. Too often, these people miss out on support from health and social care, and often rely on family for care.
The MS Trust is working to create and support more Advanced MS Champion roles across the UK in response to this unmet need. The first AMSC was appointed in 2018.
What is an Advanced MS Champion?
An ‘Advanced MS Champion’ is a specialist health professional (either a specialist nurse or therapist), working as a member of the MS Team and focusing on care for people with advanced MS. This is usually a Band 7 MS ‘specialist practitioner’ role – someone with highly specialist knowledge and assessment skills. Training for MS specific skills can be provided through the programme.
What an Advanced MS Champion does:
Assess and implement treatment for People with Advanced MS (PwAMS).
Coordinate care across different services. Ensure timely referrals to relevant health and social care professionals.
Work across boundaries within the NHS and social care to implement change and ensure delivery of joined-up care.
Provide specialist, proactive and individualised care to PwAMS and their families. Help them understand their condition, manage symptoms and identify problems.
Help people with Advanced MS live as independently as possible, improving their quality of life.
How to become an AMSC partner site
Applications are now open for our next AMSC post and will remain open until 5pm onFriday 10th July 2026.
Please click on the button below to complete stage one of the application process. The team will be in touch with more information once we have reviewed the applications.
In the meantime, if you would like to find out more about our AMSC programme, please read the document below to learn more about the programme. You can also contact us via hpteam@mstrust.org.uk
The MS Trust Advanced MS Champions Programme offers a comprehensive package of support for your team.
It includes funding up to 80% of the cost of each Advanced MS Champion post for 15 months and support for the professional development of the new Champion, providing mentorship, pastoral care, education, and facilitation of peer support.
In our Pilot study we showed that the AMSC role improves the lives of people with Advanced MS and produces significant cost savings for the NHS.
MS Trust will review the AMSC scoping survey you have completed (via the link above). If you have been successful, we will email to advise you of stage two of the process.
If your site is chosen to become an AMSC partner site, MS Trust will:
collaborate with you to develop a business case to apply for an additional substantive AMSC post. (Once this has been approved, we require a letter of intent from your NHS Trust and a baseline patient satisfaction survey.)
create a collaboration agreement, financial schedule and agreement.
support you as you move through the recruitment process.
Once an AMSC is in post, they will receive mentorship, pastoral care and facilitation of peer support through our HCP network.
The new AMSC will receive a fully funded place on our Development Module. They will also receive a fully funded place at our Annual Conference.
The AMSC will complete a follow up patient satisfaction survey and provide quarterly case studies.
MS Trust AMSC Programmes
Following on from the pilot study (2018-2022), new AMSCs continue to be recruited, expanding the reach of advanced MS practitioners in the UK. While individual’s careers may have progressed, the importance of the Advanced MS Champion role has been proven and hence the AMSC posts have been made permanent in many cases.
Sarah Watson - Leeds
“I'm really excited to have started working in the Advanced MS Champion role. I’m getting to know patients and their families or carers, and hopefully improving their quality of life. Being able to see people at home will make a big difference to the support that the MS service in Leeds can offer.”
You have changed my life. You’ve given me confidence back in myself and reassured me that I’m looking after my husband properly.
“Having been an MS Specialist Nurse for the past 12 years I’ve been privileged to care for many people living with MS in all stages of their journey... In this role, I will support people living with advanced multiple sclerosis by providing them with regular contact in their own homes and clinics if appropriate.”
Rachel started in post on 24 April 2023.
After the 15 months of 80% funding from the MS Trust, this post was made permanent.
While individual’s careers may have progressed, the importance of the Advanced MS Champion role has been proven and hence the AMSC posts have been made permanent in many cases.
