26th October 1999

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The University of Ulster have been awarded half a million pounds for research to find new ways of helping multiple sclerosis sufferers cope with their disease.

The funding for this project, which is coming from the MS Society, Northern Ireland, will finance research into strategies and therapies to help people with MS deal with issues of incontinence, wound management and pain control.

The project will be officially launched at the MS Society, Northern Ireland council meeting at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown on Wednesday 15th December 1999.

The Research will be undertaken by the University's Rehabilitation Sciences Research Group, led by Dr Deirdre Walsh.

"We're not looking for a 'magic wand' that will cure or prevent multiple sclerosis," said Dr Walsh.

"Other researchers are doing that. What we are doing is researching ways that will help people who already have MS lead more fulfilling, happier and pain-free lives."

"Almost 3,000 people in Northern Ireland suffer from multiple sclerosis - that's one adult in every 600. This disabling neurological disease strikes its victims when they are in the prime of life, affecting not only the individual, but also their families, and often destroying careers."

Kieran Harris, Director of the MS Society, Northern Ireland, said: "This is the largest research grant we have ever made in Northern Ireland.

"All of the money has been raised in Northern Ireland, and we are delighted that it will be used to fund world-class research here in the Province to bring comfort and relief to people with MS."

"We are very much looking forward to working with the university and believe that this project will have a positive impact on those who have to live with the dreadful condition."

The successful research funding application was submitted by Dr Deirdre Walsh and Professor David Baxter from the University's Rehabilitation Sciences Research Group and Professor Norman Black from Medical Informatics.

The Rehabilitation Sciences Research Group comprises of a multidisciplinary team of staff and postgraduate students, which currently represents the largest such grouping in the UK or Ireland.

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk