Written question asked by Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 24 May 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 May 2005. It was answered by Jane Kennedy (Labour) on Monday, 6 June 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what referral mechanisms are in place for (a) South West London and St George's NHS Trust and (b) Kingston Primary Care Trust to access chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis centres and support teams in the region; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: The South West London and St. George's Mental Health Trust can refer patients to the chronic fatigue syndrome and myalgic encephalopathy (CFS/ME) service based at the Epsom and St. Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust. For patients who are very disabled, specialist placement is funded by the relevant primary care trust (PCT) and is decided by their multidisciplinary placement panels, for which a psychiatric report is usually required. Kingston PCT can access the CFS/ME service, based in the Epsom and St. Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust. The PCT has a long standing service level agreement with the South London and Maudsley Mental Health Trust and Barts and The London NHS Trust.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 1433; 434 c417-8W;434 c419W
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: ME/CFS Health services Greater London Kingston Primary Care Trust South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust