Project Name: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Capacity Redesign Collaborative Working Project (CWP)

Project Summary:

The CWP aims to foster collaboration between Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Limited and Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust to enhance the multiple sclerosis service delivery for patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Through this partnership, the parties seek to leverage their combined expertise to improve patient outcomes and streamline healthcare processes. The ultimate goal is to develop innovative solutions that address the challenges faced by patients diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis, and provide more efficient, effective care.

The CWP aims to introduce an MS team coordinator to the CW Partner’s MS service, optimise the CW Partner’s MS database to ensure all MS patient records are coded appropriately, track and monitor patients on disease modifying therapies, create a service protocol review and manage and monitor adherence to it.

Success of the CWP will be measured by the following KPIs:

  • Reduction in the number of patients on disease modifying therapies (DMTs) who have not had a clinical review in over 12 months.
  • Improvement in time from referral to treatment (RTT) initiation for RRMS patients.
  • Increase in the number of patients with complete records in the MS database, enabling improved clinical oversight and service planning.

By continuously monitoring these metrics, the CWP seeks to ensure tangible improvements in healthcare provision and patient well-being.

Milestones:

Milestone 1: CWP kick-off meeting and set up of subsequent quarterly reviews.

Milestone 2: Recruitment and onboarding of the CWP role, MS team coordinator, Band 4 and clinic start. 

Milestone 3: Commencement of data analysis for baseline measures, and 3 month CWP review meeting. 

Milestones 4 to 8: clinical activity with data submission and CWP review every 3 months and the creation of a service protocol review at milestone 8. CWP wrap up meeting and outcomes summary finalised.

Expected Benefits:

Patient

  • Improved patient outcomes due to faster time from referral to treatment initiation.
  • Improved access to NICE recommended therapies.
  • Enhanced patient experience and satisfaction of the NHS MS service by reducing unnecessary waiting times.
  • Hospital review at Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust which will be closer to home for the 177 patients on high efficacy therapies that are currently receiving their MS treatment at St George’s Hospital but will be repatriated to the CW Partner’s MS service during the course of this CWP.

CW Partner (Ie: NHS)

  • Appropriate use of skill set across the service.
  • Accelerated access to services.
  • Improved quality of care.
  • Reduction in patient waiting lists.
  • Improved MDT efficiency and outcomes.
  • Improved experience of staff by spreading workload.

Novartis

  • Novartis is likely to see positive outcomes as a result of the CWP with the CW Partner. By enhancing the multiple sclerosis service delivery, the CWP aims to improve patient outcomes for those patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). As more patients are reviewed, there is potential for greater utilization of Novartis's medicines, in line with national and local guidelines, where appropriate, leading to improved patient care.
  • To assist in the redesign and better use of the RRMS management patient pathway, improved understanding of the pressure points and priorities associated with the MS service and backlog of patients pending reviews. This will enable Novartis to build better CWPs in this therapy area in other regions of the UK with an aim to help more RRMS patients receive a timely review.

Start Date & Expected Duration: July 2025 for 24 months or CWP completion, whichever should first occur.

FA-11450445 | June 2025