Written question asked by Paul Rowen (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 18 November 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 November 2009. It was answered by Ann Keen (Labour) on Monday, 23 November 2009 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 5 November 2009, Official Report, column 1165W, on chronic fatigue syndrome, what discussions his Department has had with myalgic encephalomyelitis charities and campaign groups on recognition of the condition as a notifiable disease.

Answer: Since 2007, the Department of Health has received a large number of requests from many organisations, including chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) stakeholders, campaigning for their disease or condition to be recognised as a notifiable disease. The Department's position remains that this classification should be used only for a relatively small number of infectious diseases where monitoring is required to identify sources of infection, and not as a means for collecting statistical information on the prevalence of specific conditions.We have had no recent discussions with CFS/ME charities or campaign groups on this issue.

Secondary information