§ Mrs. BrintonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many specialist clinics for myalgic encephalitis/220W chronic fatigue syndrome have (a) outreach/mobile units for severe housebound/bedbound sufferers and (b) in-patient ward facilities; and what the average size of such units and facilities is; [1107]
(2) how many NHS specialist clinics there are in the United Kingdom for sufferers from myalgic encephalitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. [1106]
§ Yvette CooperThe information requested is not held centrally.
The national health service provides a considerable number of services which people who have chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) can 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.
§ Mrs. BrintonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many myalgic encephalitis/chronic fatigue syndrome sufferers there are in(a) Cambridgeshire, (b) Lincolnshire and (c) Northamptonshire; [1164]
(2) how many designated myalgic encephalitis/chronic fatigue syndrome specialists there are in the (a) Cambridgeshire, (b) Lincolnshire and (c) Northamptonshire health authority areas. [1108]
§ Yvette CooperWe do not collect information centrally on the incidence of individual diseases. It is estimated however, that up to one or two people in every thousand may have the illness, with numbers peaking in the 20–40 age group.
Information on the numbers of myalgic encephalitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME) specialists is not available as CFS/ME is not classed as a specialty.
The National Health Service provides a considerable number of services which people suffering from 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.