Darlington and South Durham MS Group

18/06/2026

Do you use NHS patient transport services in Darlington?

The North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) is working with the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) and partners to review NHS patient transport services in the North East.

Patient transport helps people get to and from hospital if they cannot travel safely on their own because of their health or mobility needs.

Feedback indicates the service does not always work well, with people saying:

· waits can be long
· the rules are not always clear
· services can be different depending on where you live

We are looking at making the rules for patient transport clearer and more consistent in the North East. This includes reviewing who qualifies for free transport support.

Healthwatch Darlington is helping to make sure users of the service can have their say. If you do use the Patient Transport Service now or have done in the last three years, you can:

· Complete the ICB’s survey online here https://ex.civicamysay.co.uk/BD9WjeSmCx - you can take part until 3 July 2026.

Please contact us if you want to discuss your use of the service and how changes might work for you in Darlington - call us on 01325 380145 or email: [email protected]

18/06/2026

Interested in alternative medicine? Here’s how to explore it safely alongside MS care. https://bit.ly/48VgHWI

18/06/2026

Darlington Borough Council has a short survey looking at how men experience stress and pressure in everyday life and are keen for as much uptake as possible so these issues can really be heard and understood.

The survey is completely anonymous and takes around 3–5 minutes to complete. The insights will help shape future support and campaigns to better meet the needs of men locally.

Please see below the link to access the survey or you can scan the QR code attached:

https://eu.surveymonkey.com/r/SEL26KT06

18/06/2026

🔬Research Opportunity

Does your menstrual cycle affect your Multiple Sclerosis (MS)? We want to find out why and when.

MS affects around three times more women than men, yet we still know very little about how hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle may influence MS symptoms.

Researchers at Northumbria University are recruiting volunteers for a study investigating how hormone fluctuations affect communication between the brain and muscles in people with MS.

This research is funded by the MS Society and supported by MS Together.

You may be eligible if you:
✅ Are aged 18–40
✅ Have a diagnosis of relapsing-remitting MS
✅ Are menstruating, using hormonal contraception, or male
✅ Have an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 5.5 or below

📍 What’s involved?
• 4 visits to our Newcastle laboratory (approximately 2.5 hours each)
• Questionnaires, physical assessments, safe brain and muscle tests, and a small blood sample
• Rest breaks provided throughout

💷 Participants will receive £150, plus up to £20 travel reimbursement.

Interested in taking part?
👉 Register your interest: https://ms-menstrualcycle.co.uk/

📧 Questions? Contact [email protected]

Not eligible but know someone who might be? Please share this post — your support could help advance our understanding of MS and improve future care.

16/06/2026

For people living with MS, bladder and bowel problems can be common.

And sometimes people can feel uncomfortable talking about it to health professionals.

Research Network member Pat chatted to PhD researcher Jessica to find out about her new study. 🔬

She’s developing a programme to help people with MS discuss their bowel symptoms with their clinicians. And self-manage bowel problems.

Find out more: https://mssoc.uk/4x88qsS

16/06/2026

Couldn't make our Annual Research Lecture this year? You can now watch it back on YouTube!

Professor Alasdair Coles, Co-Director of our Cambridge Centre for Myelin Repair, presented 'Remyelination: the next phase of MS treatment', reflecting on how far MS treatment has come, and sharing his roadmap for a new class of treatments to repair damaged myelin.

The lecture was followed by a panel discussion with leading MS researchers where interesting questions were asked about their research.

Watch the full talk here: https://mssoc.uk/43rHTt5

16/06/2026

11/06/2026

In case you missed it....

There's some wonderful news for those visiting loved ones in local hospitals! Visiting hours have been changed to make it easier to spend time with loved ones who are in hospital. Darlington Memorial is one of the hospitals that will now allow visitors daily between 10:30 and 19:30. Previously times varied from ward to ward.

Children are also welcome where appropriate. Previously younger visitors were limited. There is a maximum of two visitors, who would have to follow infection prevention measures such as not sitting on patient beds or using patient toilets.

Visitors may occasionally be asked to "step out briefly to enable patient care, privacy or rest".

11/06/2026

We’re celebrating Carers Week!

“People don’t talk about caring. It’s hard work both mentally and physically.”

We caught up with Marie. She’s married to our Ambassador Stuart Nixon MBE.

She shares her experiences of juggling work and caring for Stuart, who lives with secondary progressive MS. 🧡

Read more: https://mssoc.uk/4ugdzfK

09/06/2026

THURSDAY COFFEE MORNING & SUPPORT GROUP -
NEXT MEETING THIS THURSDAY 11th June 🍪 ☕

Coffee Morning and Social is on Thursday 11th June at Darlington Rugby Club, Blackwell Meadows, Grange Road, Darlington DL1 5NR starting at 10.30. And every subsequent 2nd Thursday of each month.

Everyone is welcome so hope to see you all there.
If you need any more details, please contact either of the organisers – Sylvia 01325 721141 or Trish 07730 799130