<p>The Midlands multiple sclerosis (MS) nurse group developed a benchmark for relapse management in MS, using the framework outlined in the DoH document Essence of Care (DoH 2001). The authors discuss the benchmarking process and demonstrate how specialist nurses can collaboratively establish best practice and influence the quality of care. The potential benefits of applying the benchmarking process to relapse management are discussed. Good practice for management of patients with relapsing MS has been developed.</p>