MS Register for Scotland launched

A new MS Register for Scotland was launched by Deputy Health Minister Lewis McDonald on Monday 30th October.

The project, sponsored by the MS Society for Scotland, aims to collate for the first time a national profile of where and how many people with MS are living in Scotland.  In addition, the information gathered is likely to make a significant contribution to research into the possible causes of MS.

Development of the register is being overseen by a steering group chaired by Dr Belinda Weller, consultant neurologist at the Western General in Edinburgh.  It is hoped that the register will be useful in: -

  • Providing evidence of the impact of MS on people's lives
  • Influencing commissioning and delivery of health and social care services
  • Providing possible answers to why MS seems to appear in local 'clusters'
  • Providing access to a population base for running clinical trials
  • Contributing to the research around possible environmental and genetic factors in the cause of MS
  • Providing answers as to why Scotland has the highest prevalence of MS in the world

The database will be held securely by an independent body to ensure issues around data protection and confidentiality are respected.

The initial stage of the Register Project will focus on collating data regarding newly-diagnosed cases.  Work will then be expanded to take in all existing cases in a particular local area.  Once systems have been verified, data will then be sought for all cases nationwide.

For more information, contact Claire Kennett at the MS Society on 0131 335 4050 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it