Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve awareness among NHS staff of the (a) symptoms and (b) treatment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

On 12 May 2022, we announced the intention to develop a cross-Government delivery plan on myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) for England, which will include a theme on awareness and the education of staff. The delivery plan will align with the work of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which published a guideline for health and social care professionals on the diagnosis and management of ME/CFS in October 2021 and a guideline implementation statement in May 2022. Whilst NICE guidelines are not mandatory, clinicians and commissioners are expected to take this guidance fully into account and ensure implementation over time. NICE promotes its guidance online and via newsletters and other media.