People with MS get inflexible service

Care workers for people with Multiple Sclerosis often turn up
late or not at all and getting a good one or bad one is pot luck,
according to research out last week.

The survey, conducted by Opinion Leader Research for the Multiple
Sclerosis Society as part of MS week, also finds that social
services assessments make assumptions about the role that relatives
or partners might play, putting a strain on personal
relationships.

Some people surveyed reported having to completely change their
life style and routine to fit in with the parameters of the care
provider.
Examples of inflexible care planning given included one respondent
being put to bed at 8.30pm.

The study concludes that services need to be enabling and flexible
and recognise that people have individual needs.

• The Society Care Lottery: Views on Care Workers from
  www.mssociety.org.uk