Written question asked by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 13 July 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 20 July 2004. It was answered by Stephen Ladyman (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 July 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the implications are for current NHS practice of the World Health Organisation's re-classification of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome as a neurological disorder.

Answer: Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the implications are for current NHS practice of the World Health Organisation's re-classification of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome as a neurological disorder. [184514] Dr. Ladyman: The World Health Organisation's international classification of diseases, ICD 10, provides a system of categories for international systematic recording. They are not diagnostic criteria and are not used by clinicians as such. Patients benefit most from a holistic model of care and new services are being developed to provide this. Services have not been designed around the ICD 10 in the past, nor do we expect them to be in the future.

Secondary information