New at-home MS treatment transforming NHS services

Home administration is just one example of how Sciensus’ end-to-end services connect with patients to achieve better outcomes, support healthcare providers to increase capacity and drive commercial value for customers.

Patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) are now benefitting from a new version of a medication that can be given by injection at home rather than in a hospital clinic. The Sciensus NHS Services team has been supporting trusts with the transition to home treatment, facilitating a smooth, seamless and speedy transfer of patients, with benefits for both individuals and clinical teams.

In late 2024, a new subcutaneous injection version of a medication that can reduce MS relapses and hospital admissions was made available in the UK. Patients receiving the medication previously had to attend hospital clinics every four weeks for an infusion, adding stress to their lives and pressure on hospital services.

Sciensus NHS Service Directors Victoria Deadman, Nicky Gray and Jonathan Mole have been linking with trust clinical teams to explain how the home injections can be delivered, the simple process for transferring patients to the new service and how the nursing team will keep clinicians up to date with their patients’ wellbeing.

Victoria Deadman explained: “By enabling patients to receive their medication through an injection at home, this new service is delivering a better service all round – from the reduction in travel and time spent in a hospital clinic, to more personalised one-to-one care. There’s less stress for patients who were having to make journeys to hospital for their care when feeling unwell and for the clinical teams, the service is reducing the strain on NHS nursing capacity.”

The delivery of the medication and the nursing care are paid for by the manufacturer, but the NHS trust pays for the medication. If the medication is delivered through home care rather than in hospital, there is no VAT to pay – leading to savings for the trust.

Facilitating the transfer of patient care

The Sciensus NHS Service Directors and mobilisation teams have supported clinical teams to explain to patients what home care will look like and allay any concerns.
For each patient moving to the new service, the clinical team raises a registration form and a prescription, which can be bulk uploaded to the Sciensus Connect portal.

Sciensus can provide pre-populated prescription forms if preferred, including patient details and dosage. These are then approved by a Sciensus pharmacist before home treatment begins.

The Connect portal means that there is no need for registrations and prescriptions to be printed off and sent through the post or via courier, saving time and money and increasing confidence in a timely transition. Clinicians can also monitor the onboarding as it is in progress and see when patients receive their treatment with a clinical evaluation after every visit, giving them confidence in the transparency of the information.

Bringing the medication direct to patients

Sciensus is currently the only provider where the nurse brings the medication with them to appointments rather than the patient having to receive a separate delivery in advance. Again, this reduces the impact of treatment on day-to-day life and improves independence by limiting the number of times patients need to be available in relation to treatment.

A home treatment service you can rely on

Jonathan Mole concluded: “With the systems Sciensus has in place, we offer trusts and patients a smooth transition with a home treatment service that they can rely on. Our digital tools are a great benefit for the clinical teams and we always make sure we continue listening to feedback so that our Connect portal remains as user friendly as possible and evolves to meet any new needs.”