Written question asked by Fraser Kemp (Labour) on Monday, 22 March 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 30 March 1999. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Tuesday, 30 March 1999 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proposals he is assessing on specialist support for CFS/ME (a) nationally and (b) in the Northern Region.

Answer: Mr. Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he is assessing on specialist support for CFS/ME (a) nationally and (b) in the Northern Region. [78484] Mr. Hutton: We are not currently assessing any proposals nationally or in the northern region on specialist support for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). The national health service provides a considerable number of services to which people suffering from CFS/ME have access, and such patients are seen within a wide range of hospital specialties. The recently established CFS/ME working group will produce guidance aimed at improving the quality of this care and treatment. The CFS/ME working group will complete its work by the summer of 2000 and the guidance will be published later that year.

Secondary information