Government minister: “…the Department acknowledges that services have not always been sensitive to the needs of people with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME)…”
David Anderson MP (Labour, Blaydon) tabled a question asking the Secretary of State for Health if he would commission an independent inquiry into UK Government policy on, and matters concerning, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.
In a written answer supplied on 15 January 2013, the Coalition's Minister of State for Care and Support Norman Lamb (Lib Dem) replied:
We have no plans to commission an independent inquiry on this matter. However, the Department acknowledges that services have not always been sensitive to the needs of people with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).
The Health and Social Care Act (2012) sets out a range of reforms that will improve outcomes, improve access to services and give people, including those with CFS/ME, more choice and control over the services they receive.
People with CFS/ME should be involved in decisions about their care and we expect NHS professionals to ensure that they fully involve patients and their family and carers to enable them to be part of that decision-making process.
17th January 2013
I’m posting this at the request of Mrs Pauline Donaldson, of the Sunderland South Tyneside ME Support Group:
“The Sunderland and South Tyneside ME/CFS Support Group were aware of the excellent proforma letter produced by Anglia ME Action (AMEA) that called for a Parliamentary Select Committee Inquiry into UK ME/CFS Policy and decided to use it as a template to contact MPs from our local area.
“A Copy of the personalised letter was sent to 7 Members of Parliament, 2 of whom are also Patrons of the support group.
We have, so far, received 5 letters of response in which all of the MPs have said that they intend to contact the Secretary of State for Health, Sir Jeremy Hunt on our behalf.
“Also David Anderson, MP for Blaydon, has tabled 3 Parliamentary Questions the first of which was heard on January 15th 2013.
“The response from the Minister of State for Care and Support Norman Lamb (Lib Dem) is not very encouraging and we are disappointed. However it is our intention to continue with this campaign and we will be encouraging our members to contact their own MP individually.”
Pauline Donaldson
for and on behalf of the Sunderland and South Tyneside ME/CFS Support Group
24years on .No care! No services! No Interest!