§ Mr. LepperTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what timetable he has set for the production of reports by the Working Group on CFS/ME and its sub-groups; [68563]
(2) by whom in his Department the reports produced by the CFS/ME Working Group and sub-groups will be considered; and what plans he has to publish them; [68562]
§ Mr. LepperTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the terms of reference of(a) the CFS/ME Working Group and (b) its children's sub-group whose membership was announced on 4 November 1998. [68561]
§ Ms JowellThe terms of reference for the chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) working group are; to review management and practice in the field of CFS/ME with the aim of providing best practice guidance for professionals, patients and carers to improve the quality of care and treatment for people with 775W CFS/ME. The children's sub-group has the same terms of reference although its primary focus will be issues specifically relating to children.
The work of the groups should be completed by the summer of 2000 and the final report published later that year. The report will be considered by the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Liam Donaldson. The Working Group was established by the previous CMO, Sir Kenneth Calman and its work has been taken forward by his successor, Professor Donaldson. The final report will be made freely available.