MS Foundation MasterClass 19 project winners announced
NewsIn November, delegates of the MS Foundation MasterClass 19 came together for module 2 at Halifax Hall in Sheffield. A highlight of the programme was the presentation of workplace projects, developed and implemented by delegates during the intermodule period after they attended the first module in May.
These projects are a cornerstone of every MasterClass, enabling healthcare professionals to apply their learning directly to local services. From optimising clinical protocols to empowering patients with self-management tools, the projects demonstrated a collective commitment to transforming MS care. Delegates shared their initiatives in short presentations, followed by an anonymous vote to select the project they felt most deserving of recognition.
We are thrilled to congratulate Dr Sophie Mullins, neuropalliative fellow at North Bristol NHS Trust, on winning with her project: Improving introductory communication for advanced MS clinics.
Dr Sophie Mullins with Dr Wallace Brownlee, honorary academic director, and Dr David Paling, honorary strategic director
Sophie’s project addressed a vital aspect of MS care: advanced care planning. At her advanced MS clinic (the MS-Hub), patients referred by their primary MS consultant or MS nurse were reviewed by a neuropalliative fellow with consultant support. To better prepare patients for their clinic visits, Sophie developed an introductory information leaflet. This effective tool is set to improve communication and patient experience at the clinic.
In addition to our winner, we want to spotlight the outstanding efforts of our runners-up:
Dr Arunachalam Soma & Dr Jordan Russell
Adherence to shared care protocols for Sativex in managing MS-related spasticity: a concordance audit across primary and secondary care
This project focused on improving GP education and support to enhance adherence to shared care protocols, ensuring more patients benefit from Sativex for MS-related spasticity.Kenneth Chu
Evaluating the need for routine testing and antibiotic use in patients receiving ocrelizumab
Kenneth’s work at Cambridge University Hospital reviewed the necessity of routine pre-infusion testing for MS patients on ocrelizumab. His findings showed many tests could be safely omitted, reducing appointment times and increasing clinic efficiency.Lindsey Bezzina
Rethinking our MS bladder service
Lindsey’s audit at King’s College Hospital led to updates in bladder management care pathways. By improving patient education and access to community services, her project addressed one of the most debilitating symptoms of MS, ensuring more comprehensive care.
Congratulations to all our delegates for their innovative work in improving MS services and supporting people with MS across the country. We can’t wait to see how these ideas will shape the future of MS services.
To learn more, all project posters are now available on our website’s project section. These resources are designed to inspire learning and replication, enabling others to implement similar initiatives in their own areas.
Feedback from the delegates:
"The project helped me to step out of my comfort zone and I am very grateful for this!"
"Great seeing and hearing about everyone's projects. Liked how the session was kept relaxed and informal so it wasn't intimidating at all to speak in front of everyone in the group."
"Amazing depth and breadth of knowledge. Boosted my own confidence that we are doing the right thing in our setting. I found the entire experience very positive. Doing a project was quite a daunting prospect but the process helped me to focus on the direction, needs and limits of our own service and patients. The project may be used/included ultimately to justify and inform any future changes to MS services so the whole process was extremely beneficial."
"The project is the driving factor to think and change perspectives in the MS pathway and some evidence in developing further service whether in community or acute setting. It was the effort put in by every delegate to present what could have been better in their own practice."
"I was really impressed with the quality of the other projects. I found it really interesting to see & hear how others are working."
It was fantastic to have some of our endorsers with us at the MasterClass. Thank you to Amy Thompson from MS Together, Amy Woolf from MS-UK and Charlie Peel, Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis for joining us and supporting our education.
We loved having our endorsers experience everything firsthand – seeing our sessions in action, meeting the incredible speakers and connecting with delegates.
'I was privileged to attend the Foundation MasterClass this year as an endorser. The teaching was wonderful, and the atmosphere was positive, but the highlight for me was hearing delegates presenting their projects with so much passion. There was a real breadth of topics showing the increasingly holistic treatment and management of MS around the country - and really demonstrating how each delegate addresses an issue specific to their patch.
Charlie Peel, healthcare professional lead, Overcoming MS
Ruth Stross was chairing the event, together with Dr Wallace Brownlee, and noted:
“The real impact for me from the MS Academy Foundation MasterClass this year has been the feedback from delegates following a dedicated presentation session of their projects, so many came up and thanked us for the opportunity to grow in confidence, find their own peer network, understand the importance of mentorship and really enjoy learning in a safe, multi-disciplinary and more intimate environment.
Our education goes beyond passive learning. It’s about meaningful conversations, building confidence, forging friendships, leading and ultimately driving change within our local services through personal and service improvement projects.
It is more than professional development; it’s a personal journey and supporting clinicians to move from delegate to speaker. And from working in isolation to becoming part of a community.”
Ruth Stross, Head of nursing, Neurology Academy neurology specialist nurse, Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Our 2025 MS MasterClasses are now open for registration! If you’re looking to take your MS expertise to the next level in 2025, be sure to apply early to secure your place.
Related articles
Encouraging excellence, developing leaders, inspiring change
MS Academy was established five years ago and in that time has accomplished a huge amount. The six different levels of specialist MS training are dedicated to case-based learning and practical application of cutting edge research. Home to national programme Raising the Bar and the fantastic workstream content it is producing, this is an exciting Academy to belong to.