Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Diagnosis

(asked on 30th November 2021) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has plans tackle the misdiagnosis of ME patients; and with whom NICE plans to work to raise awareness of that misdiagnosis among the public, Government officials and NHS staff.


Answered by
Gillian Keegan Portrait
Gillian Keegan
Secretary of State for Education
This question was answered on 15th December 2021

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body with responsibility for developing evidence-based guidance for the health and care system. NICE recently updated their guideline on myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), aiming to improve awareness and understanding of ME/CFS to ensure earlier and correct diagnoses. The guideline includes specific recommendations on providing information and support to people with ME/CFS and training for health and social care professionals. This training should include material on ME/CFS and its diagnosis and management.

NICE promotes guidance via its website, newsletters and other media. While guidelines are not mandatory, we expect the healthcare system to take them fully into account in designing services that meet the needs of their local population and to work towards their implementation over time. NICE is working with system partners to support the implementation of the guideline for ME/CFS.

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