How you can help us
10 ways you can help our
campaign for beta interferon on the NHS
- Sign our online
petition
- Write to Paul Burstow MP: Paul
is working closely with the MS Research Trust to raise a number of issues in
the House of Commons regarding NICE. We need to show him the level of interest
and frustration people with MS feel about the further delays in getting a
decision on beta interferon and the disparity of access in different parts of
the country. Print out
this
letter to Paul and send it to him c/o the MS Research
Trust.
- Write to the
Dept of Health: Write to the Minister responsible for MS services, outlining
the reasons why you believe national standards of care are important for people
with MS. You should write to John Hutton MP, Minister of State, Dept of Health,
Richmond House, 79 Whitehall, London SW1A 2NS, UK.
- Write to NICE:
If you have been assessed as being eligible for beta interferon but have been
refused funding by your health authority, you can write directly to NICE
outlining your situation. Letters should be sent to: Rod Taylor, Head of
Appraisals, NICE, 90 Long Acre, London WC2E 9RZ.
- Stimulate public
debate: Go to CitizenSpace on the UK Online
Citizens Portal, and join the public
debate. Don't be put off by other members of the public who may try to silence
us - we have every right to use that forum to express our
views.
- Write to your
MP: Write to your MP at House of Commons, London SW2A 0AA. Ask him/her to speak
to the Health Minister or your behalf. If you don't know who your MP is, try
the House of Commons MP
Locata. Alternatively, Fax
Your MP directly from the Web.
- Contact the
media: Contact your local press and radio stations. Contact the National press,
radio and TV stations. Make the most of any opportunity to raise awareness and
stimulate debate on the NICE decision. The MS Society have produced a
sample letter which you may adapt and
use.
- Write to the
Mirror: National newspaper The
Mirror is taking great interest in our campaign and would like to
hear from you. Write to: The Mirror, One Canada Square, London E14 5AP.
- Question Time: Apply to take
part in the BBC TV Question
Time programme when it comes to your area.
- Keep talking, and take every
opportunity to raise awareness of the need for access to beta interferon on the
NHS.