§ Lord Clement-Jonesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Working Group into Chronic Fatigue Syndrome announced on 4 November will be considering whether Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), as defined by the "Dowsett" or "London" criteria, is a distinct illness from that characterised by the "Oxford" or "CDC 1994" criteria for the purposes of clinical management. [HL293]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Hayman)The remit of the Working Group on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) has not yet been fully defined. It is intended that it will review management and practice in the field of CFS/ME with the aim of providing best practice guidelines for professionals, patients and carers to improve the quality of care and treatment for people with CFS/ME.