(2) what steps his Department plans to take to address the geographical gaps which exist in local specialist services for people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome;
(3) what steps his Department is taking to encourage primary care trusts to implement the recommendations of the new guidelines on myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome produced in August 2007 by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.
Health professionals are expected to use their clinical judgment taking into account best practice and existing clinical guidelines, including those produced by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, to provide the most appropriate treatment for the individual living with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).
We have made no assessment of the services provided for children and young people.
We have no plans to address any geographical gaps in the provision of local specialist services. Local health bodies have a duty to commission health and social care services to meet the needs of their local population, including those living with CFS/ME.
Diagnosis for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis can be prolonged as there is no specific test for this condition, and therefore other diseases with similar symptoms must be ruled out before a diagnosis can be made. The recent guidance produced by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence provides a list of medical tests that should be used to rule out other conditions.