Question by question small pieces of information on the government’s intentions re ME/CFS and the publication of the Delivery Plan are being teased out from Ministers.
The latest tranche from MPs John McDonnell (UIN 43407), Dr Al Pinkerton (UIN 42165), and Chris Ward (UIN 43679) elicited a few interesting points from Ashley Dalton MP Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care).
As to why the Delivery Plan publication has been postponed, the Minister in answer to Mr McDonnell’s question responded that ” We aim to publish the final delivery plan by the end of June. We have listened to key myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), stakeholders to allow for more time to develop the plan and help ensure we can be as ambitious as possible to make the most impact for those living with ME/CFS.”
“It will also enable the final delivery plan to align more closely with wider related Government strategies such as the forthcoming 10-Year Health Plan. The extension to the publication timeline will allow vital further engagement with the ME/CFS Task and Finish Group and those, across Government and beyond, responsible for actions in the final delivery plan. Through this engagement, we will further scope and develop new and stronger actions seeking to deliver meaningful change for the ME/CFS community.
It would also appear that that funding bodies will be redoubling their outreach efforts to support ME/CFS researchers in their application quest whilst not allocating additional, let alone ring-fenced, funding for ME/CFS research. Thus, Dr Pinkerton’s query centred on support for people impacted by ME/CFS in Surrey Heath constituency was answered as a narration of researcher support plans
“We also intend to provide additional support to ME/CFS researchers to develop high quality funding applications and access existing National Institute for Health and Care Research and Medical Research Council research funding. All research funding applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality. Our forthcoming ME/CFS delivery plan will outline the additional support we will offer to the research community to increase the volume and quality of applications and, therefore, increase the allocation of funding to this area.”
Finally, on referral of those with Long COVID to ME/CFS services, Mr Wood was told
“There is also specific advice for healthcare professionals to manage long COVID. Patients should be managed according to current clinical guidance, such as that published and updated by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network and the Royal College of General Practitioners. Whilst NICE guidelines are not mandatory, the Government does expect clinicians and healthcare commissioners to take them fully into account.”
