§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list for each NHS region the number of in-patient beds that cater for the needs of people with CFS/ME; how much is spent in each region on such inpatient services; and how many NHS staff, broken down by category, work in such services; [140544]
(2) if he will list for each NHS region the number of out-patient clinics that cater for the needs of people with CFS/ME; how much is spent by each region on such services; and how many NHS staff, broken down by category, work in such services. [140545]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 28 November 2000]: The information required is not available in the format requested.
The National Health Service provides a considerable number of services to which people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) access. These patients are seen within a wide range of hospital specialties including general medicine, neurology and immunology. The CFS/ME working group is developing guidance to improve the quality of care for CFS/ME patients.
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§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the adequacy of education and training of(a) medical, (b) nursing and (c) allied professions in the (i) diagnosis, (ii) treatment and (iii) management of CFS/ME. [140546]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 28 November 2000]: Responsibility for the adequacy of education and training of medical, nursing and allied professions is primarily a matter for the statutory and professional bodies. The National Health Service Plan sets out proposals for ensuring that patient interests and the service needs of the NHS are fully aligned with the development of curriculum and approval of training programmes.
The chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) working group is developing guidance to improve the quality of care and treatment for people with CFS/ME.