Wendy Chamberlain MP and Life Peeress Baroness Finlay of Llandaff addressed written questions to the Department of Health and Social Care on topics of interest to those affected by ME/CFS. Ms Chamberlain’s centered on the government’s intentions to ensure that the cross-government delivery plan for ME/CFS establishes a common UK-wide approach (UIN 31519) whilst Baroness Finlay queried (HL4874) how the soon to be published delivery plan for ME/CFS would ensure collaborative working to leverage additional funding for biomedical research, and (UIN HL4875) how the delivery plan would reflect the government’s commitment to embrace the opportunities of the digitalisation of NHS services.
The answers did contain the normal narration of the government’s stated commitment to publishing the delivery plan and their on-going consultation but some new information emerged through the verbiage of stock phrases.
To Ms Chamberlain’s query it was confirmed that that the government has “maintained engagement with the devolved administrations during the analysis of the consultation responses on the interim delivery plan, as well as on the ongoing development of the final plan. We will continue to work closely with those devolved administrations to ensure that policy development and learning across the UK’s nations is shared.”
The Baroness’s first question elicited that “We cannot comment on the exact content of the final delivery plan at this time, but it will be shaped by responses to the 2023 consultation on the interim delivery plan ..”
ME Research UK comment – It will however be recalled that the government has already stated that no additional funding will be available for the delivery plan or for a centre of research excellence despite the overwhelming support for these arising from the consultation process.
The government spokeswoman then continued
Research is an important pillar of the delivery plan for ME/CFS. Future planned action to support research in this area will take a cross-sectoral and inclusive approach, recognising the value of patient and public representatives in particular.
The Department funds research on ME/CFS through the NIHR and the MRC. The NIHR and the MRC remain committed to funding high-quality research to understand the causes, consequences, and treatment of ME/CFS, and are actively exploring the next steps for stimulating further research in this area. The MRC and NIHR currently fund research through a variety of routes, including infrastructure, research programmes, capacity building, through for example research fellowships, and, in the case of the NIHR, research delivery to support recruitment to studies. The NIHR welcomes the opportunity to work collaboratively with partners, including patient representative groups and industry, to stimulate further research in this area.
Finally, on digitisation, the answer was the same as for the Baroness’s first question.
