WRITTEN QUESTION
The Countess of Mar tabled a question asking why mitochondrial function testing is not generally available through the National Health Service.
In an written answer supplied on 25 June 2012, Lord Howe (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health) replied:
We understand that mitochondrial function testing as a possible diagnostic test for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis is not yet accepted as part of normal clinical practice. It is for local commissioners to determine what services they should commission to meet the needs of their populations, within available resources and local priorities.