HL Deb 26 February 2004 vol 658 cc76-7WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the criteria for entry to the PACE trials for individuals suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis currently being funded by the Medical Research Council and the Department of Health. [HL1273]

Lord Warner:

PACE (Pacing, Activity and Cognitive behaviour therapy: a randomised Evaluation) is one of two trials being funded by the Medical Research Council which will look at the effectiveness of various treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

The criteria for entry to the trials have not yet been finalised.

The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Warner on 11 February (HL 1179), whether they will define the Action for ME (AfME) chronic fatigue syndrome and myalgic encephalomyelitis clinical network project; whether they will define "all those in the field"; how knowledge is to be accessed; and between whom best practice will be shared. [HL1337]

Lord Warner

Action for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis clinical network project is intended to link clinicians, commissioners, voluntary organisations and patients. It will help to share knowledge of good practice in service delivery, draw together and learn from local initiatives, identify needs and gaps and stimulate planning to meet them.

It is intended that knowledge will be accessed during the project by bringing together patients, clinicians and commissioners at meetings to share their wealth of experience and knowledge of methods of best practice. Subsequently during these meetings, overlapping aims can be identified and useful discussions held which will lead to work plans and goals being drawn up. The production of guidelines written for other organisations looking to run a similar project will further enable knowledge to be accessed.

Best practice will be shared between patient groups, strategic health authorities and primary care trusts in planning and developing services for people with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.