§ Mr. KempTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he is assessing on specialist support for CFS/ME(a) nationally and (b) in the Northern Region. [78484]
§ Mr. HuttonWe are not currently assessing any proposals nationally or in the northern region on specialist support for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). The national health service provides a considerable number of services to which people suffering from CFS/ME have access, and such patients are seen within a wide range of hospital specialties. The recently established CFS/ME working group will produce guidance aimed at improving the quality of this care and treatment. The CFS/ME working group will complete its work by the summer of 2000 and the guidance will be published later that year.