Moray MS conference attracts capacity crowd
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NATIONAL research specialists were in Moray at the weekend to address the area's Multiple Sclerosis community conference.
A capacity audience attended the Alexander Graham Bell Centre, at Moray College UHI's Elgin campus, to hear about current findings relating to emotional and cognitive wellbeing for people with MS of all ages.
Among speakers was Dr Peter Connick, the senior research fellow in Regenerative Neurology at the A R Rowling Research Centre in Edinburgh.
The facility recently hit national headlines after author JK Rowling donated a further £15.3 million to support research into the treatment of MS and similar conditions.
It was a previous donation from Ms Rowling in 2010 which enabled the establishment of the centre, which is named in memory of her mother.
The conference also offered advice on self-help strategies linked to the support available through NHS Grampian, the local authority and community-based groups.
Juli Harris, secretary of the Moray MS Community, said: "The day was a great success with a capacity audience, giving people with MS, families, carers and medical professionals an opportunity to hear Dr Connick speak about current research projects.
"The second speaker was Dr Fiona Summers, senior consultant neuropsychologist at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, who focussed on mental health, wellbeing and MS and self help strategies.
"Following lunch, the focus turned to identifying local support in Moray with speakers, led by mental health services manager Pam Cremin, delivering presentations from Moray Integrated Services on a wide range of services for supporting mental heath and wellbeing, including the Moray Wellbeing Hub. The event concluded with a question panel, followed by a vote of thanks from Alan Beevers, founder member of the Moray MS Community.
"It was an opportunity to access information from the local support hubs in place during the day and meet up with others in the MS Community at a central location in Moray, which provided an excellent location for the day."
Opening the event was Moray MSP Richard Lochhead, while hubs offered information from Quarriers, The Oaks, Moay Duo, The Moray Health and Wellbeing Society, the MS Trust and the MS Society Moray.
