Written question asked by Vincent Cable (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 7 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 February 2003. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 February 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent guidance he has issued to hospital trusts and PCTs on the provision of services to myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome sufferers; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent guidance he has issued to hospital trusts and PCTs on the provision of services to myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome sufferers; and if he will make a statement. [97505] Jacqui Smith: We have issued no guidance to hospital trusts and primary care trusts on the provision of services to patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/ myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). In October 2002 however, we did make the National Health Service aware, through the Chief Executive's Bulletin and the GP Bulletin, of the guidance produced by Action for ME called Guidance on the management of CFS/ME.

Secondary information