EIGHT months after the specialist MS nurse at Ipswich Hospital – dubbed a “guardian angel”– retired, the post has finally been advertised, to the relief of hundreds of sufferers left feeling abandoned in the meantime.

When Chris Boyes left the trust last October, his patients spoke out about their concerns the post would be left vacant, leaving them without a lifeline.

But health bosses maintained they were committed to replacing Mr Boyes, putting the delay down to designing a new business case to include work both at the hospital and in the community.

The post is now advertised on the NHS jobs website describing the role as helping to “empower those affected by MS by providing information, support and advice about the condition from time of diagnosis and throughout the disease spectrum”.

Val Clover, who said she had been sceptical the trust would replace the post, is today “over the moon” to see health bosses commit to the position.

Speaking from her Ipswich home, Mrs Clover who has suffered from the neurological condition for 25 years, said: “It is great news.

“We have waited a long time for this, I am over the moon, it is about time.

“People have been talking about it and a lot of people have ended up in hospital when they need not have, had we had a specialist nurse.

“I have got my fingers crossed people will apply and we will have a new nurse very soon.”

A hospital spokeswoman said: “We are very hopeful we will attract some fantastic candidates.”

The closing date for applications is July 4 and it is advertised at between �30,460 and �40,157 a year pro rata.

For more background to this story, see the link (above right).

Tell us your health stories. Contact our health reporter Lizzie Parry by sending an e-mail to lizzie.parry@archant.co.uk