Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason planning for a specialised service for very severe ME/CFS has been paused until April 2027.

The action within July 2025’s final delivery plan on myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), to consider whether a specialised service should be prescribed by my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for very severe ME/CFS has been delayed until April 2027.

Officials in the Department and NHS England are currently considering, alongside ME/CFS stakeholders, interim measures to support patients with very severe ME/CFS.