§ Sir Bernard BraineTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether he will ensure that adequate resources are made available for providing treatment for and giving advice on myalgic encephalomyelitis to general practitioners;
(2) if he will give details of the current funding of research into the treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis; and what guidance is given by his Department to general practitioners in regard to treatment of this condition.
§ Mr. DorrellThere is no question of patients not receiving the treatment they need when they visit their152W general practitioner, including referral to a specialist if that is necessary. It is not the practice of the Department to issue clinical guidance to doctors, but we are encourged by the increasing number of informed articles on myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) appearing in professional journals and by the number of regional health authorities approving courses for GPs in ME; the various ME groups do valuable work in this area too. With regard to research into causes of and treatment for myalgic encephalomyelitis, I refer my right hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for Tonbridge and Mailing (Sir J. Stanley) on 21 November 1991 at column 313.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will fund research into the physical causes of myalgic encephalomyelitis and possible treatments.
§ Mr. DorrellI refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave my right hon. Friend the Member for Tonbridge and Mailing (Sir J. Stanley) on 21 November 1991 at column313.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will reconsider the definition of myalgic encephalomyelitis as given in the DSS disability living handbook.