Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to include the development of standards for the care of people with severe myalgic encephalomyelitis in their delivery plan for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

The content of the myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), delivery plan has not yet been finalised. The responses to the 2023 interim delivery plan consultation, along with continued close engagement with stakeholders, will inform the development of the final ME/CFS delivery plan which we aim to publish by end of March. The plan will focus on boosting research, improving attitudes and education, and bettering the lives of people with this debilitating disease.

To support this, we have reconvened the ME/CFS Task and Finish Group, including senior Department and cross-Government officials, ME/CFS specialists and representatives from NHS England, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the devolved administrations, and ME/CFS charities and organisations in the development of the final delivery plan for ME/CFS.