OBJECTIVES:

In 2016 a National Strategy for Neurodegenerative Diseases was drawn up in Spain. This project aims to complement this strategy and define a set of specific, prioritised, and feasible actions that the public authorities can put in place to respond to the needs of patients with MS.

METHODS:

The project was conducted by a multidisciplinary Think Tank and carried out as an intellectual group exercise to define problems and explore new fields of action. Three strategic approaches formed the basis for these recommendations. National and regional objectives for each strategic approach were defined, giving rise to 5 priority objectives based upon which the following 9 initiatives were developed.

RESULTS:

1. To develop and implement a Comprehensive Action Plan (CAP) for MS that includes health issues at an autonomous community level.
2. To develop a national registry for MS patients that includes clinical and social data.
3. To monitor and measure the results obtained from the CAP and to update them.
4. To provide sufficient specialised human resources to implement the CAP.
5. To ensure patient access to Multidisciplinary Functional Units, designed to respond to the specific needs of patients with MS and people around them.
6. To evaluate the suitability of the care system, including social aspects, to benefit patients with MS.
7. To prepare and implement an accredited, continuous training plan for professionals in all care levels involved with MS: primary care, specialised care, and social services.
8. To ensure the education, information, and empowerment of patients with MS.
9. To prepare and evaluate a health and social welfare continuity plan over time.

CONCLUSIONS:

Comprehensive health care plans for MS must be developed, and the results of such plans must be monitored and measured, ensuring the provision of sufficient human and specialised resources.