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Dept of Health

Answer

Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission a research project into myalgic encephalomyelitis and the (a) suspected causes, (b) the scale of the problem, (c) the treatments available and (d) the number of specialists employed by the NHS to whom GPs can refer patients with ME-like symptoms. [113800] Jacqui Smith: The main Government agency for research into the causes and treatment of disease is the Medical Research Council (MRC), which receives its funding from the Department of Trade and Industry via the Office of Science and Technology. The MRC published a research strategy for cnronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) on 1 May. The strategy will enable researchers and funders to develop research proposals on all aspects of this illness. It was developed by an independent research advisory group in response to a request from the Chief Medical Officer, and was informed by contributions from pstients, carers, charities, researchers and clincians via a consultation exercise in summer 2002. The MRC has announced two initiatives in response to the strategy. One is a notice to the research community welcoming high quality proposals across the entire spectrum of CFS/ME research. The other is a scientific meeting to discuss the potential to use existing UK resources and infrastructures to undertake epidemiological studies in this country. In addition, the MRC has just announced funding for two trials that will look at the effectiveness of various treatments for CFS/ ME. The results of these trials will help patients and their doctors to choose the best treatment. These complementary trials will assess a variety of treatments and in doing so will both help address important issues for those with CFS/ME. The first trial known as PACE (Pacing, Activity and Cognitive behaviour therapy a randomised Evaluation) will make the first assessment of a treatment choice popular with patients called `Pacing'. The second trial, known as FINE, (Fatigue Intervention by Nurses Evaluation) will test two different treatments that are particularly suited to helping reach those who are too ill to attend a specialist clinic as patients will be treated by nurses in their own homes.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

113800; 405 c610-1W;405 c608-9W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

ME/CFS Doctors Medical treatments Research

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk