Multiple sclerosis sufferers from across North Yorkshire were today lobbying the city's MP Hugh Bayley during a national protest outside Parliament.

Setting off for the MS lobby in London are, from left, Denise Brisby, Maurice Newton, Audrey Christian, Rosemary Hill and Dorothy Bumby

The group from the Woodlands Respite Care Centre in Thief Lane and Ryedale MS Society were meeting Mr Bayley at the Department of Social Security, where he is a junior minister.

More than 1,200 people from across the country were expected to lobby MPs during today's event.

The MS Society has organised the demonstration at what it describes as a crucial time for the future of services.

One of the main issues is the availability of the drug beta interferon, which many sufferers feel is the only effective treatment for the condition.

The Government has asked the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to carry out a review of whether the drug should be available on the NHS.

Before setting off, Ryedale MS Society member Joyce Thorpe said: "We are going to show support from our group here.

"We're hoping for better conditions throughout the health service. It's a bit like a lottery at the moment, depending on which area you live in."

Mrs Thorpe said those taking part in the rally hoped to meet MPs of all parties, including Ryedale's Tory MP John Greenway.

She said the Ryedale MS Society had about 60 members.

The plight of MS patients was illustrated recently by the story of Karen McFarlane, of Scarborough Road, Norton.

Friends, neighbours and total strangers have so far helped to raise more than £2,500 for Karen, who is battling to get treatment with the £10,000-a-year wonderdrug beta interferon

Julie Richardson, secretary of the York branch of the MS Society, said: "When we get down there the idea is that we have the opportunity to talk to Hugh Bayley to put forward the views of people with MS and unequal access to MS health care.

"Beta interferon, which is really the only drug at the present time that has any effect on people with MS, is only available to a small number of people because it costs £10,000 per person for a year.

"But we are looking at all the resources for people with MS including rehabilitation, physiotherapy, continence, and a whole range of help to keep people out of hospital because if they have a relapse they are hospitalised which is far more costly to the health service than preventative measures."

She added: "There are different services available to people throughout the country and while some areas have really good services, others suffer.

"In York things are getting better and the York Health Trust has just agreed to fund an MS nurse for the next three years which is brilliant."

Jennie Wharram, volunteers co-ordinator at Woodlands, said there was concern that care for MS patients varied depending on the policies of individual health authorities.

"We are looking for a set standard of care for all health authorities throughout the country, that reflects the true needs of people with MS," she added.

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