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Written question asked by Countess of Mar (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Freud (Conservative) on Monday, 14 November 2011.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in view of the fact that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is classified by the World Health Organisation’s mandatory International Categorisation of Diseases as a neurological disease, and that the Government’s contract with Atos Healthcare requires a qualified doctor to assess employment and support allowance claimants for CFS/ME, why the Department for Work and Pensions stated, in response to a Freedom of Information request of 23 March 2011, that any healthcare professional can undertake such assessments.
Answer

The Government’s contract with Atos Healthcare requires that doctors are used to assess claimants with conditions that are likely to have complex central nervous system examination findings. The majority of claimants with CFS/ME do not exhibit such signs and therefore CFS/ME is not on the list of conditions that are required to be assessed by a doctor. However, if a claimant with CFS/ME has neurological signs, they will be passed to a healthcare professional with the requisite expertise.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
13265; 732 c104WA
Session
2010-12
Related items
Health: Assessors
Monday, 28 November 2011
Written questions
House of Lords
Health: Assessors
Monday, 28 November 2011
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
ME/CFS Doctors Medical examinations Employment and support allowance Atos Healthcare
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk