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5Rs service gains national recognition

1 February 2008

5Rs SERVICE GAINS NATIONAL RECOGNITION (01 February 2008)

A pioneering day care service developed by Sue Ryder Care has been nationally recognised as ‘good practice’ by the Department of Health.

The 5Rs is a ten-week programme of alternative therapies and information for people living with multiple sclerosis, which aims to promote independence, choice and confidence building, devised and developed at neurological care centre Sue Ryder Care - The Chantry.

The Department of Health has highlighted the 5Rs as a good practice example of implementation of the National Service Framework (NSF) for long term conditions on its website. The NSF sets out national standards for caring for people living with complex conditions including multiple sclerosis with the aim of raising standards and reducing variations in services.

The 5Rs was judged to exemplify health and social care services working together to provide care and support to enable people living with neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis, to achieve maximum choice about living independently at home.

The 5Rs - so called as it aims to reenergise, reintegrate, rebuild, relax and regenerate - allows people to sign up for a ten-week a planned programme of therapeutic activities, such as yoga and music therapy and educational classes, including art and computers. Clinical specialists such as an MS nurse are also available to give helpful advice and answer questions, as well as other speakers on such topics as life changing therapy and eligibility for benefits. At the end of the ten weeks, people are encouraged to pursue a college course, hobby or therapy they have enjoyed.

This model was designed by Sue Ryder Care - The Chantry’s Care Centre Manager, Jo Marshall, and Community and Day Services Manager Tracey Plested, following an identification of need for a new service for local people living with MS expressed by Ipswich Hospital’s Neurology Department and the local branch of the MS Society, in 2005.

In 2006 a group for carers of people living with multiple sclerosis was established to run alongside the 5Rs.

Jo Marshall Care Centre Manager at Sue Ryder Care - The Chantry, which also offers residential nursing and respite care to people living with severe neurological conditions including MS, said: “We have measured 5 R’ s success to date based on the positive feedback and beneficial outcomes for the people who have attended. I am delighted that the service has now been formally recognised by The Department of Health and hope that this will help support our case for statutory funding for the service.”

 

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