Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

(asked on 19th October 2018) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support his Department provides to people in the UK who have myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.


Answered by
Steve Brine Portrait
Steve Brine
This question was answered on 29th October 2018

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends treatments which have the clearest clinical evidence of benefit. There is no known pharmacological treatment or cure for myalgic encephalopathy/chronic fatigue (CFS/ME); however, the guidance is clear that there is no one form of treatment to suit every patient. People with CFS/ME should have the opportunity to make informed decisions about their care and treatment should be provided in line with their preferences.

The NICE guidance also provides clinical guidance on best practice which is used to support the local National Health Service shape services to support people with CFS/MS. The commissioning of services for people with CFS/ME is a local matter.

Overall evidence suggests that CFS/ME has a population prevalence of at least 0.2-0.4%. This would mean that a general practice with 10,000 patients is likely to include up to 40 people with CFS/ME. Estimates are based on extrapolations from other countries.

Further information on CFS/ME can be found via the following websites:

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg53

www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-cfs/

www.meassociation.org.uk/about/what-is-mecfs/

Reticulating Splines