On 14th July, the Isle of Man government announced that the Long COVID and ME/CFS support service for the Island was making good progress towards its anticipated launch date of September 2022.
A progress goup comprised of doctors, allied health professionals, charity support representatives, and representatives from similar established services in the UK – spent a number of months reviewing the future needs of Island residents affected by ME/CFS and by long-COVID including holding various listening events in person and digitally to better understand their requirements. There being approximately 350 adults with ME/CFS and approximately 1,000 adults with Long COVID on the Island.
In order to meet these needs the new service aims to:
- Provide support that is co-produced with people living with both conditions to enable an informed service design that will meet the needs of individuals
- Include an easy-to-understand referral process and diagnostics.
- Include specialists on the Isle of Man and in the UK to provide a wide review of individual needs.
- Provide a training programme to health and social care employees to raise awareness and highlight NICE publications for both ME/CFS and long-COVID.
- Raise awareness of both conditions with the public.
- Provide people with a holistic care plan to support individuals to either fully recover if treated earlier in the pathway, or to ensure they are ‘living well with’ their condition.
Juan Corlett, Chairman of ME Support Isle of Man, said:
We are extremely grateful to Manx Care’s team for working closely with our charity over the last year, and enabling so many local residents living with these conditions to shape service development by having their voices heard at listening events. Designing a suitable model for these complex illnesses is not straightforward, and our Island is lucky to have a talented and passionate team working collaboratively on the finer detail of this project. We can’t wait for the new service to launch.
Juan Corlett, Chairman of ME Support Isle of Man
