How it will ensure that all multiple sclerosis patients are assessed at the earliest possible stage to identify whether they would benefit …

Only certain patients with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis are likely to benefit from beta interferon treatment and patients' eligibility for this treatment depends on the clinical judgement of the specialist concerned. Health Department Letter (HDL) (2002) 6, which introduced the risk-sharing scheme for the supply of disease modifying treatments for multiple sclerosis on the NHS, explains the arrangements NHS boards are required to make to implement the scheme locally. This includes the arrangements necessary to enable eligible patients in their area to receive beta interferon treatment. The Executive expects the NHS boards to implement the scheme.Data collected under the risk-sharing scheme is maintained by the scheme co-ordinator Sheffield University's School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR). We have requested access to the data collected by ScHARR, on an anonymised basis, which will identify to us the rate of implementation in Scotland.Our discussion with ScHARR has not identified that there are any difficulties particular to Scotland. The Director of ScHARR has visited the Scottish specialist centres and he has indicated that progress in Scotland was satisfactory in all areas.