The government committed as part of the ‘ME/CFS: the final delivery plan‘ that NHS England would co-design resources to improve services for people with ME/CFS, including the development of the template service specification for mild and moderate ME/CFS. The standardisation efforts aimed to address concerns raised of inconsistency, appropriateness and quality of health services, poor data collection, and staff training, retention and awareness of NICE-compliant standards.
The DHSC, with NHS England, also undertook to explore whether a specialised service should be prescribed by the Secretary of State for Health for very severe ME/CFS – but this will, it appears, not result in a template service.
James Nash MP has sought an update from the Department of Health and Social Care via a written question (UIN22272) on steps taken to increase investment in specialist services for people with ME/CFS.
The responsible Minister – James Frith (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care) has responded to confirm that
…. the Department, together with NHS England, have developed a template service specification for mild, moderate, and severe myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The template, once published, will be circulated to integrated care boards to support the commissioning of services for ME/CFS. This includes recognition of post-exertional malaise.
