Written question asked by Mike Weatherley (Conservative) on Tuesday, 31 January 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 February 2012. It was answered by Anne Milton (Conservative) on Monday, 6 February 2012 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Children

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the results of research published in the online journal BMJ Open into the proportion of school children who have chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME); and what steps he plans to take in response to the finding of that research that less than 25 per cent. of children in England affected by CFS/ME have access to the health provision required by National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines.

Answer: The Government are committed to ensuring all children and young people have access to the health services they need, and we welcome the research report on the BMJ Online website and the recommendations within it. It will be a useful addition to the evidence base in this area.There are already initiatives being undertaken by Government that are seeking to improve health related services for children. On 26 January, we launched the Children and Young People's Health Outcomes Strategy, which aims to maximise health outcomes that matter the most to children, young people their families and the professionals that support them. It will also show how all parts of the health system, with partners, will contribute to enabling every child and young, person to reach their full potential. The broad scope of the strategy will help to ensure that the issues in the report are considered.

Secondary information