ME (Hansard, 24 October 2002)

§ Chris Grayling
To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department categorises ME as a neurological illness. [76269]
502W

§ Jacqui Smith
The Department does not have its own system for categorising conditions such as myalgic encephalomyelitis in this way. However, it employs the World Health Organisation's International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis appears in the current version, ICDߝ10, as a neurological illness.

§ Chris Grayling
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he gives to general practitioners about ME. [75976]

§ Jacqui Smith
Action on ME, a voluntary group active in this area, has recently produced guidance on the management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). We have brought this guidance to the attention of National Health Service chief executives through the CE Bulletin; and will be making reference to in the next issue of the GP Bulletin.
The CFS/ME independent working group's report, which was published on 11 January 2002, has been placed on the Chief Medical Officer's web-site, so that it can be accessed by all interested parties including general practitioners.

§ Chris Grayling
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many specialist centres for ME there are in the UK; [75975]
(2) if he will make a statement on the care of people with ME in the community. [75974]

§ Jacqui Smith
Information on local service configuration for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is not held centrally.
Most cases of CFS/ME are managed in the community although general practitioners can refer patients for specialist opinion and advice where appropriate.
ME is mainly managed in primary care. It is the responsibility of local primary care trusts to commission services for their local populations including those suffering from CFS/ME.