§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the Government's plans regarding the treatment and care of myalgic encephalomyelitis; [48629]
(2) if he will make a statement on the appointment and work of the Medical Research Council's independent scientific advisory group established to further research in the field of CFS/ME;[48630]
(3) what resources the Government (a) have already made and (b) plan to make available to implement the recommendations of the CFS/ME independent working group's report published on 11 January. [48631]
§ Ms BlearsThe Medical Research Council are in the process of appointing an independent scientific advisory group which will include scientists with expertise in areas such as epidemiology, physiology, immunology, infections, clinical trials and psychological medicine. The advisory group will draw on the working party report and recent expert reviews of the field. It will also take into account the concerns of patients and carers and the interests of consumers generally.
617WThere are no plans to make extra resources available to implement the chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) independent working group report. It is for primary care trusts in partnership within the local health economy and other local stakeholders to determine how best to use their funds to provide services for their local populations, including those patients with CFS/ME.
The Government response to the working group's report welcomed the publication of the report. We see it as the start of a process of improving awareness and understanding that we hope will lead to improved diagnosis, management and treatment.