This MS Awareness Week (24-30 April) the MS Society Scotland are in the Scottish Parliament in a bid to raise awareness of the vital role the MS nurse has on the lives of people living with the neurological condition.

John Mason pledged his support for MS nurses in Scotland.

Regularly cited as a key contact for people with MS, the role and responsibilities of the MS nurse can be wide-ranging and varied. These include monitoring people for potentially dangerous side effects who are receiving drug modifying therapies (DMTs), as well as giving emotional support and helping to navigate the social care system. The specialist role means that nurses can also provide expert advice to their patients on symptom management and living as best as possible with MS.

Despite the importance of this role, only five of the 11 mainland health boards are deemed to have sustainable levels of MS nurse provision. In one health board the case load is four times the recommended amount.

MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, John Mason said:

“It was helpful to meet some representatives from the MS Society Scotland in the Parliament and to hear more about the absolutely crucial role played by MS nurses in providing treatment and support from those affected by MS.

“I am certainly keen that we do whatever we can to help support the valuable work done by MS nurses across our country.”

Morna Simpkins, Director for MS Society Scotland said: “Over the years the role of the MS Specialist Nurse has become more complex, we need this to be recognised and resourced by the health service in order to give people with MS the support they need.

“MS is an unpredictable and sometimes painful condition that can affect how a person thinks, feels and moves – and we need to ensure that people are receiving the support and care they need to live as well as they can with MS.”

Over 11,000 people in Scotland live with MS which can be unpredictable and can affect how a person thinks, feels and moves. For more information on the work of the MS Society, please visit www.mssociety.org.uk

That the Parliament notes that 25 April marks International Parental Alienation Awareness Day; notes that, in over 30 countries, the day aims to highlight the damaging impact that such alienation, when one parent influences a child to reject the other parent following separation, can have on families; believes that, as this can sometimes happen unintentionally, highlighting the signs of alienation are key; understands that the side effects of such alienation can include an increased risk to the mental health of the children and family members who lose access; considers that, where possible, allowing both parents to be involved in the life of a child following separation leads to the best outcome, and hopes that the awareness day will help increase awareness of the benefits that healthy relationships between separated parents can bring.

That the Parliament welcomes calls from a House of Lords select committee for the introduction of UK-wide minimum unit pricing for alcohol if it proves to be successful in Scotland; understands that, in spite of support for minimum pricing coming from a wide range of organisations, such as health professionals, the police, alcohol charities, Tennents and other sections of the drinks industry, the Act that was passed in 2012 has still not come in to force due to ongoing legal challenges from the Scotch Whisky Association; believes that this highlights the interest with which the rest of the UK and countries further afield are viewing minimum pricing in Scotland, and reiterates its support for this policy which it hopes will lead to a significant reduction in problem drinking across Scotland.

John is calling upon constituents to help scrap the Tory government policy to tax victims of domestic abuse for exerting their right to child maintenance.

John is urging constituents to sign a petition that calls for the UK Government to remove the 4% collection charge on child maintenance payments that applies to parents using the ‘Collect-and-Pay’ service.

Payments made to the ‘Collect-and-Pay’ service are managed by the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) and can be removed directly from the paying parent’s bank account and have enforcement powers to ensure maintenance is paid on time and in full.

The CMS exempt victims of domestic violence from the £20 application fee, but do not make any exemptions from the monthly charges. In response to a written question tabled by SNP MP Angela Crawley, the UK Government said the charges are in place to encourage parents to pause and consider whether they require the ‘Collect-and-Pay’ service – encouraging parents to utilise the less bureaucratic ‘Direct-Pay’ scheme.

However, John stressed that the ‘Direct-Pay’ service does not offer the same protections as ‘Collect-and-Pay’ and can continue the cycle of abuse.

He is urging constituents to go online and sign the petition at www.domesticabusevictimtax.co.uk

Commenting, John Mason MSP said:

“Victims are domestic abuse should be protected by the UK government, not punished financially for their inability to engage with an abusive ex-partner.

“The UK Government advises victims of domestic abuse that they should utilise their less safe ‘Direct-Pay’ scheme, which has no powers of enforcement and allows continued communication through bank transfers.

“The Tories have shown a complete lack of compassion by introducing this charge and even worse, they actually risk putting the lives of domestic abuse victim-survivors and their children in real danger.

“The UK Government must look again at this unfair tax and listen to calls from charities, the public and MPs to scrap it – ultimately, it will be the children that child maintenance payments are intended to support who will lose out.