Elaine Murray, Labour MSP for Dumfries, tabled two questions about the recently published Scottish Good Practice Statement for ME/CFS, which were answered by Nicola Sturgeon, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, on 17 January 2011.
The texts follow:
Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Good Practice Statement on ME-CFS and guidance to NHS boards make recommendations on sending patients for out-of-area treatment where a board is unable to provide the recommended treatment locally.
Nicola Sturgeon: The Good Practice Statement contains an example of a generic care pathway that includes appropriate referral to a specialist clinic or treatment centre, without reference to NHS board boundaries.
The statement and its accompanying documents can be found at:
http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/GoodPracticeStatementonME-CFSforGeneralPractitioners
Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Good Practice Statement on ME-CFS and guidance to NHS boards make recommendations regarding the referral of patients with severe and complex symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome to tertiary hospital services including admission.
Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Good Practice Statement is based on the principle that all treatment should be collaborative and tailored to the needs of the individual patient. It recognises that general practitioners may well need to make referrals to designated clinical services for assistance with the management of patients.
The report of the Scottish Public Health Network’s needs assessment of ME-CFS also outlines a recommended service model that includes specialist hospital services. The report is available at:
http://www.scotphn.net/pdf/Final_report_web_version_240910_pdf.pd</a>f