§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the protocol and what are the criteria for selecting studies for consideration in the systematic review as reported in paragraph 2 of Briefing No. 4 of the Chief Medical Officer's Working Group on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis; who is compiling the information; who advised the reviewers on studies to be considered; and what are the interests of those individuals involved in the review. [HL 4344]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath)The aim of the review is to determine which treatments and interventions are clinically effective and for which patients. It will examine the whole range of proposed interventions where good evidence exists, including multi-disciplinary models and complementary therapies. The NHS Centre for Reviews and Dissemination at the University of York is finalising its plans for carrying out the work, and an advisory group will be appointed to reflect the full range of interests in this issue.