Nicola Hyslop
Advanced Multiple Sclerosis Nurse Champion, North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

Nicola is a recurrent guest on BBC Radio Cumbria to discuss MS awareness. Nicola has presented as one of the AMSC sites, and has been a role model for the MS Trust, speaking about the reality of her role and championing the need to support other AMSCs in the UK. She has repeatedly been asked to present at the flagship MS Trust Development Module, highlighting the complexities of Advanced MS and tools used to work in this field and receiving outstanding feedback.

Over the last 12 months, in particular, there have been lots of changes within the MS Service in Cumbria, and it would be wonderful for Nicola to receive recognition for the high standard of care she delivers and the passion she displays not only for the patients in her care, but for the support she offers to her peers and the wider multidisciplinary team.

This intuition and forward thinking have led to several key service improvements in order to create a better experience for patients living with Advanced MS. Examples include a pathway for patients with MS who have been admitted to acute services. This development, which is currently under audit, is already improving communication between acute and community teams.

Nicola’s exceptional work has been recognised by patients who acknowledge that she goes above and beyond to ensure they receive the highest standard of care. A key participant of ward rounds within the local hospital, she supports services for people with MS. She has been a passionate advocate for those on her caseload who struggle to advocate independently. Her work has also been recognised by her management, with ward staff keen to engage with specialist advice.

To read the Outstanding MS Nurse case study including the solutions, results, and more. Click here and download the PDF or listen to pharmaphorum’s Deep Dive editor Eloise McLennan talking with Nicola Hyslop here.

Thank you to this year’s QuDoS in MS programme sponsors, Novartis and Roche.