Summary of ME Association board of trustees meetings in February, 2013

MAY BE REPOSTED
 
This is a summary of key points from two meetings of The ME Association (MEA) Board of Trustees. The meetings took place in Buckingham on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th February 2013. Informal discussion on some of the topics also occurred on the Monday evening.
 
This is a summary of the two Board meetings – not the official minutes. 
 
The order of subjects below is not necessarily in the order that they were discussed.
 
Where appropriate, there is background information, and/or an MEA website link, relating to the issue being discussed.
 
ATTENDANCE
 
Trustees:
Martine Ainsworth-Wells (MAW)  
Ewan Dale (ED) – Honorary Treasurer 
Rick Osman (RO)
Neil Riley (NR) – Chairman (by telephone link)
Charles Shepherd (CS) – Honorary Medical Adviser
Nicki Strong (NS)

MEA Officials:
Gill Briody (GB) – Company Secretary
Tony Britton (TB) – Publicity Manager
Helen Darling (Administrative Assistant)
 
Others:
David Allen (DA) – Associate trustee

RO and TB only present on Tuesday morning
 
FINANCES and ADMINISTRATION
 
ED updated trustees on the current financial position.  This was followed by  a discussion on the (preliminary) management accounts for the period up to the end of December 2012.  
 
Despite considerable on-going difficulties faced by charities in the current economic climate it is very encouraging to again report that our general income from all sources has continued to remain ahead of expenditure for the whole of 2012. Consequently, we are once again in a position to be able to fund all Head Office administrative costs relating to the Ramsay Research Fund.

Trustees considered further options for ‘keeping the books in balance' during these difficult times as we have a duty to run the MEA in both a business-like manner as well as a charity. 

Trustees reviewed accounting practice advice from Vicky Smith, who looks after our management accounts and monitored banking arrangements aimed at maximising the interest received on deposit accounts. 
 
The MEA received a very generous donation at the start of 2012 from one of our members, who wished to remain anonymous. This covered the entire administrative cost of running the ME Connect telephone and email information and support service during 2012.

PREMISES and STAFF

Helen Darling, our new part time administrative assistant started work in October and has settled in well.

Following the recent departure of our fundraising assistant trustees agreed to advertise the post. More information on this position can be found in the February issue of ME Essential magazine (NB: the magazine is now at the printers and should be mailed out next week). If anyone is interested in applying for this part-time home-based post please contact MEA Head Office. Please note that the person appointed will need to attend Board meetings held in Buckingham.

Trustees discussed staff training and appraisals.

Trustees welcomed Nicki Strong and Martine Ainsworth Wells, who were previously associate trustees, to their first full meeting as co-opted trustees.

Trustees agreed to fund an update of part of the Head Office computer system.

Trustees agreed to provide some further funding for ME Connect volunteer training sessions during 2013.

MEA PATRONS
 
Following the death of two of our well known Patrons in 2011 – actress Louie Ramsay, daughter of Dr Melvin Ramsay, and her partner the actor George Baker – we appointed consultant neurologist Professor Peter Behan to the role of Patron. Trustees continue to discuss other possible candidates for this role and would welcome feedback from MEA members on this subject.
 
FUNDRAISING INITIATIVES and DONATIONS
 
As the MEA receives no government funding we have to raise a substantial amount of funds on top of membership subscriptions – which currently only provide around half of the general income that is required to cover the basic running costs of the charity and Head Office administration. 
 
We are also facing a situation whereby people are reducing donations to charities in general.  At the same time, demand on support and information services is steadily increasing, especially in relation to benefit and employment information now that major changes to the welfare/benefit system are taking place.
 
Trustees and staff therefore have to devote a significant part of their time to fundraising activities in order to maintain our current level of services and research activity.

The 2012 Big Give ‘Christmas Challenge' and ME Awareness Week
 
The MEA took part of this event – which involved matched fundraising activities – for the first time in December 2011.  Just over £5,500 was raised.  This money was used to fund the 2012 training programme for our ME Connect volunteers.

Following the successful result in 2011 Tony Britton submitted an application to do so again in 2012. This time we will be using the money as part of our contribution to ME Awareness Week.

The aim is to educate GPs on ME/CFS through distribution of a fully updated 2013 version of the MEA ‘purple booklet’ – ME/CFS/PVFS – An Exploration of the Key Clinical Issues – and asking members and other PWME to tell us which doctors’ surgeries they think would most benefit from receiving the booklet. We already have over 1500 surgeries/GPs on our list – an outstanding achievement! CS is currently in the process of preparing this new updated edition and reported that he should have this work largely completed by March 1st.

We have raised over £9000 in confirmed pledges – which will pay for around 4000 copies of the purple booklet.
 
Cycling, running, swimming and walking events and the 2012 BUPA London 10k race

We have a steadily growing number of supporters who are taking part in activity events all around the UK.

Past and future events include the Abingdon 10K, Bristol half marathon, Brighton marathon, Edinburgh marathon, Festival Hall Marathon 2013, Fred Whitton 112 mile cycle challenge round the Lake District, Great North Run, Great Scottish Run 2012, Greater Manchester 10K, Jane Tomlinson’s Run for All Leeds 10K, Leeds half marathon, New Forrest half marathon, London to Paris cycle ride, Reading half marathon, Robin Hood half marathon, Roseland August Trail, Sheffield half marathon, Stafford half marathon, Swindon (Nationwide) half marathon, Yorkshire Dales sponsored walk – a well as Pampered Chef nights, Parachute jumping, Worcester Zombie Walk, Zumba dancing, and the 5 Peaks Challenge.

We have 22 places (with 14 definite expressions of interest) for the BUPA 2013 London Marathon and 2 places in the 2013 Dublin marathon.

Other fundraising events – ideas always welcome! 
 
While runs, bike rides, skydives and other sporting events are very effective ways for carers, relatives and friends to raise money for The MEA, they are clearly not appropriate for people who are ill. So we continue to welcome the views of members on how people with ME/CFS might play a more effective role in fundraising.
 
Give A Car
 
If you have an old banger that you want to get rid of, let GiveaCar Ltd take the strain and arrange for it to be collected. You will be making a donation to the MEA in the process – whatever state the car is in.   Fill in the form here – www.giveacar.co.uk/donate-a-car-to-charity/the-me-association

Collection boxes  
 
Flatpack collection boxes for loose change are available from Head Office. These are advertised in the magazine and on the website and are be sent out free of charge
 
MEA website shopping  
 
This facility on the MEA website home page provides a direct link to well -known shops and on-line stores.  Purchasing goods on-line from companies such as Argos, John Lewis, M&S, and Amazon via the MEA website is quick and easy.  In addition, we receive a commission of up to 15% from the shop at no charge whatsoever to the purchaser.   Please give it a try!  Registering only takes a few seconds on the Easyfundraising.com website.  Make a reminder note on or near your computer and spread the word to friends.
 
Mobile phone and ink cartridge returns and trolley coins 
 
Returns of ink jet cartridges and old mobile phones continue to be a successful source of income – so please keep sending them in. Use freephone 0800 091 0696 or visit www.therecyclingfactory.com/meassociation to take part in our scheme.

Trolley coins can be ordered using the pdf ORDER FORM on the MEA website: www.meassociation.org.uk, or the literature order form  insert in ME Essential magazine, or by phoning MEA Head Office on 01280 818968 or 818964. Envelopes for the return of ink cartridges and mobile phones can be ordered using the literature order form or by contacting Head Office. 

Blue Ribbons

The MEA discontinued selling blue ribbons when stocks ran out. We are now considering the production of a high quality blue ribbon lapel badge.

Email database 

We are continuing to build up an email database of people who would like to receive email alerts from the MEA. There are almost 2,000 people on the list so far. 
 
As ever, our deep gratitude to all those who undertake fundraising events on our behalf and who donate to The MEA occasionally or regularly through standing orders.
 
PARLIAMENTARY MATTERS: APPG on ME
 
CS reported on the first meeting of 2013 which took place on Tuesday 15 January. This involved a wide-ranging discussion on benefits and welfare reform. Unfortunately, presentations from DWP Minister (Mark Hoban) and a representative from Atos did not take place – because both were unable to attend. Minutes of this meeting can be found on the MEA website.

The next meeting of the APPG will take place on Wednesday 13 March where the subject for discussion will be severe ME/CFS. This will include presentations from Professor Derek Pheby (epidemiologist at the New University of Buckingham) and Dr Claire McDermott (University of Southampton).

Representatives from the following charities are invited to attend APPG meetings:  Action for ME, Association of Young People with ME, BRAME, Invest in ME, ME Research UK, ME Association, reMEmber, Young ME Sufferers Trust and 25% Group.
 
The APPG parliamentarians have decided that meetings should remain closed – so attendance is restricted to MPs, members of the House of Lords, the APPG Secretariat (Charles Shepherd from MEA plus Sonya Chowdhury and Tristana Rodriguez from AfME) and representatives from the main national ME/CFS charities. The decision to continue to hold closed meetings is in the hands of the parliamentarians – not the Secretariat.  While we appreciate that members of the public who attend these meetings are in effect guests of the APPG, and that confrontational or time-wasting interruptions are unacceptable, we also feel that members of the public, along with charity representatives, make an important contribution to the work of the APPG. The MEA will therefore continue to encourage the APPG to gradually enlarge the public presence at their meetings. 
  
We would like to increase both the membership of the APPG and attendance of MPs at meetings – so please ask if your MP is a member of this group.  If not, please try to persuade him/her – by letter or preferably in person at a constituency surgery – to join and attend the next meeting.
 
Report of APPG Inquiry into NHS Services 

The report can also be downloaded from the MEA website by using this link: www.meassociation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/APPG-Report-v3.pdf
 
PARLIAMENTARY: Countess of Mar's Forward ME Group
 
CS reported on the first meeting of 2013 that took place on Tuesday 15 January when Professor Malcolm Harrington gave a very helpful presentation and answered questions. The Minutes for this meeting can be found in the February news archive on the MEA website.

The Countess of Mar continues to ask regular parliamentary questions on all aspects of ME – these can be found in the MEA website news archive – and has taken a very active part in the Welfare Reform Bill as it passed through the House of Lords. She also initiated the House of Lords debate on the PACE trial on Wednesday 6 February – a Hansard transcript and video of the debate can be found in the February news archive on the MEA website.
 
The >Forward ME Group website has information about the group and archives of minutes from past meetings.

Parliamentary: Westminster Health Forum (WHF) CS now attends meetings organised by the WHF – an organization that brings together policymakers in Parliament, Whitehall and government agencies to engage in discussion on public policy relating to health and healthcare with key stakeholders. These include health professionals in the NHS and the private sector, representatives of the organisations they work in; businesses in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors and their advisors; patients' and other interest groups; academics and commentators, along with members of the reporting press.

WHF website: www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/forums/index.php?fid=westminster_health_forum

DWP BENEFITS AND WELFARE REFORM: DLA, ESA and PIP
 
Trustees reviewed the current MEA strategy regarding various benefit reforms that are taking place, or are due to take place.
 
Changeover from ICB to ESA.  This process continues to cause great difficulty for many people with ME/CFS who are currently claiming ICB when they are re-assessed for ESA.
 
DLA and the replacement with a Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

CS updated trustees on the changeover from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to Personal Independence Payments (PI. This will start to take place for all new claimants in April 2013. CS reported on meeting held at the DWP on Tuesday 12 February to discuss the new criteria for claiming PIP – in particular the inclusion of the words reliably, repeatedly and safely in the assessment process. CS is preparing an MEA information sheet on PIP for the April issue of ME Essential. Updated information on the changeover will be provided on the MEA website and on MEA Facebook.
 
Professor Malcolm Harrington's Independent Review of the Work Capability Assessment.  

A copy of the MEA submission to this review is on the MEA website: www.meassociation.org.uk/?p=1639. 

CS is a member of the group appointed by Professor Harrington that has reviewed the WCA descriptors that apply to people with fluctuating medical conditions. Their report on fluctuating conditions and the WCA, which contains some very useful information in relation to ESA applications and appeals, can also be downloaded on the MEA website: www.meassociation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Fluctuating_conditions_report_FINAL-1.pdf 

Fluctuating conditions report and ESA 

As noted above, representatives from five charities – Forward ME Group, Arthritis Care, MS Society, National AIDS Trust, and Parkinson's disease – have been working with Professor Michael Harrington on his independent review of the Work Capability Assessment descriptors.  The group's report on fluctuating medical conditions and the WCA descriptors was completed in April 2011 and was very well received by Professor Harrington.  As a result, the charities spent the rest of 2011 with a Scrutiny Group appointed by the DWP in order to reach agreement on a final set of conclusions and recommendations, This work was completed in November 2011 and was then forwarded to Professor Harrington and the DWP so that it could be included in Professor Harrington's report on year two of his review. 

Testing the recommendations in the Fluctuating Conditions Report

Having received the FCG recommendations the DWP took their time in deciding how our revised WCA descriptors – which are also intended to assess severity and fluctuation in relation to all the tasks that are included in the WCA – could be objectively tested against the current WCA descriptors. We also proposed two new descriptors covering fatigue and pain.

At the end of June 2012 the group called to a meeting at the DWP where we were informed that an evidence based review (EBR) of our work will now take place. This involved an intense period of further work over a six week period during the summer of 2012 in order reach agreement with the DWP on how our proposals should be objectively tested against the current descriptors.

The testing phase is planned to commence shortly. Analysis and reporting of the results will take place during the middle part of 2013. An independent scrutiny group, chaired by Professor Harrington, is overseeing this work.
 
Benefit review seminar meetings and seminars

Key points to emerge from charity representatives during the course of previous joint discussions include:
 
* Overall, there is still very little noticeable change taking place to the way in which people are being dealt with by the DWP and Atos
* There is very little evidence of medical reports from claimant's health professionals being obtained or taken notice of – even when they have been obtained
* Claimants on low incomes cannot afford to pay for medical reports – which places them at a significant disadvantage
* Those living in areas with no access to specialist referral services are also being disadvantaged when it comes to obtaining supportive medical evidence
* People are still being rushed through Atos interviews without being listened to.
* Atos reports are still being reported as factually incorrect
* The Lima computer programme used by Atos during medical examinations is more concerned with functional assessment and describing a typical day at home and not fitness for work.
* People with fluctuating medical conditions do not have ‘typical days'
* Information provided to medical examiners by Atos is in some cases out of date and inaccurate
* The CAB representative pointed out that 60% of successful ESA appeals came from claims that had originally been awarded zero points – this indicates a major flaw in the ESA decision making process
* The DWP needs to define what it means by meaningful work
* Assessments for patient groups for whom the current WCA process is acknowledged to be flawed (eg ME/CFS) should be suspended until suitable descriptors have been put in place,

ESA feedback to The MEA 

Feedback to The MEA indicates that people are often finding it very difficult to obtain ESA.  However, a significant proportion are being successful if they go to appeal.  If anyone is applying for ESA, or is involved in the transfer from ICB to ESA,  please read our guidance leaflet on how to fill in the complex paperwork and the 10 ‘top tips' on ESA that were in the June 2011 issue of the magazine.  It is also worth obtaining the fluctuating conditions report – this can be downloaded free from the MEA website.
 
The decision to bring in changes to the WCA descriptors as from 28th March 2011. 

Motions in the House of Lords to try to annul the Statutory Instrument that brought in the new WCA descriptors were tabled by both Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope and the Countess of Mar. This led to a House of Lords debate on Wednesday 16th March 2011.  A television recording, and Hansard transcript of the debate, can be found on the MEA website: https://meassociation.org.uk/ ?p=5180  During the debate, Lord Freud made a very important statement about ESA eligibility criteria in a response to an intervention from the Countess of Mar: “It must be possible for all the descriptors to be completed reliably, repeatedly and safely, otherwise the individual is considered unable to complete the activity.'

Atos medical assessments

As part of Professor Harrington's on-going review of DWP benefits, CS has visited an Atos assessment centre in London on to see how the much criticised LiMA computerised medical assessment system works. A summary of his visit was sent to the DWP and Professor Harrington.

Professor Harrington’s review of WCA: Year 3 report

CS attended a meeting at DWP Headquarters on November 20th to discuss the findings and recommendations contained in Professor Harrington’s third report on the WCA. A summary of this meeting, and a link to the report, can be found in the November news archive on the MEA website. This is the final report from Professor Harrington, who is now retiring from his DWP work. At this point we do not know who will be replacing him.

New ESA 50 form

The ESA50 form has been revised, taking note of some (but not all) of the recommendations put forward by the fluctuating conditions group. A copy of the new form, along with background information, can be found in the news archive for January 2013 on the MEA website.

Trustees agreed to update the MEA information leaflet which explains how to fill in the complicated ESA paperwork.

SCOTTISH MATTERS 

ED reported on events and meetings he has attended and is due to attend. Trustees then held a brief discussion on the development of ME awareness and service provision in Scotland, including the new ME/CFS service in Lothian.

MEDICAL EDUCATION

At the December 2012 meeting BS and NS led a discussion on how the subject of ME/CFS was covered (or not covered) in both ward-based education and lecture material at UK medical schools. It was agreed that NS would take this forward by initially taking to some medical schools about what (if anything) and how they teach medical students about ME/CFS. A more comprehensive survey of the situation may then follow – with the aim of producing a report that can be submitted to the APPG on ME.

NS updated trustees on progress and reported that she will shortly be talking about ME/CFS to medical students from St George’s Hospital in London.
 
MEA ANNUAL MEDICAL MEETING
 
The MEA annual medical meeting is an open and free meeting in an ‘ME Question Time' format that we rotate around the country each year.  Panel members normally include Jane Colby (Tymes Trust), Sue Luscombe (registered NHS dietitian) Dr Charles Shepherd (Hon Medical Adviser, MEA), Dr Nigel Speight (Hon Paediatric Adviser, MEA).
 
The MEA pays for the full cost of the venue and any expenses incurred by panel members.  All we normally ask from the local group is some practical help with publicity and local administration. 
 
The 2013 meeting is going to take place in Liskeard in Cornwall on Saturday 28 September and all the above speakers are confirmed. The meeting will be held in conjunction with local groups in Devon and Cornwall. Detail regarding venue etc will appear in the May ME Essential magazine.
 
OTHER MEETINGS
 
Invest in ME conference CS and NS will be representing the MEA at this meeting on 31st May
 
Open Medicine Institute meeting on ME/CFS in New York CS attended the first meeting of this international collaboration of clinicians and researchers that took place in June 2012.

The meeting was organized by Dr Andreas Kogelnik from the Open Medicine Institute in California. Among well known names attending from both the USA and Europe were Dr Lucinda Bateman, Dr Oysten Fluge, Dr Nancy Klimas, Dr Charles Lapp, Dr Olaf Mella, Dr Dan Peterson, and Dr Ila Singh. A number of researchers who do not currently work in ME/CFS also attended.

From Tuesday evening till Friday morning a group of about 15 met formally and informally over breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Harvard Club in New York. Presentations and discussions covered a wide range of clinical and research topics with an emphasis on the role of infection and immunology in the causation of ME/CFS and how this knowledge should be applied to treatment that addresses the underlying disease process in ME/CFS – rather than just providing symptomatic relief.

As this was a closed meeting covered by a strict confidentiality agreement – as unpublished data was being discussed – CS is not able to report on the content of these discussions. A group statement summarising recommendations and actions can be found in the news section on the MEA website.

Pain conference in Edinburgh CS attended and spoke at the North British Pain Association conference for health professionals in Edinburgh. The title of his talk was ‘ME/CFS – Fact, Fiction, Controversy and Uncertainty’.

Rural Medical Practitioners Association CS gave a presentation on chronic fatigue, ME and CFS at their annual conference on Wednesday 26th September in Wales. Over 100 GPs from all over the UK attended and everyone received a copy of the MEA purple booklet.

Northern Ireland meetings Dr Derek Enlander invited CS to take part in a medical conference in Newry, Northern Ireland, on November 11th 2012 Other speakers included Dr Judy Mikovits and Dr William Weir. CS powerpoint slides for this meeting can be found on the MEA website (November news archive)

Along with Dr Wiliam Weir and Dr Gregor Purdie, CS will be speaking at a meeting for doctors in Newry on Saturday 23 March 2013.

North East Research Meeting CS attended a research meeting in Middlesbrough on Wednesday 17 October 2012 that was organized by ME North East. Among the speakers were Professor Julia Newton on the subject of autonomic dysfunction.

MEA SURVEY ON CBT, GET and PACING

As part of MEA forward planning for our submission to the NICE guideline review, which is scheduled to take place in 2013, the MEA produced a very comprehensive website questionnaire that will provide much needed patient evidence on all aspects of these approaches to management.

The website questionnaire closed on September 1 2012 with over 3000 people taking part and 1400 complete responses. The results are now being analysed and a summary of basic data is being prepared – from which a comprehensive report will emerge.

A sub-group of trustees met with NR at his home in Dorking to further discuss the analysis of the preliminary results on Wednesday 6 February.

NICE GUIDELINE REVIEW

CS updated trustees on the current situation regarding the uncertainty surrounding the NICE guideline review following receipt of a letter from NICE which indicates that this could now be in the form of a rapid internal review. This correspondence with NICE is in the January news archive on the MEA website.

PACE TRIAL

Trustees discussed the latest paper on the PACE trial results, which covers what is termed recovery.

The paper, along with the MEA response to Psychological Medicine, can be found in the February news archive on the MEA website: www.meassociation.org.uk/?p=14460

MEA LITERATURE

We are currently collecting information on life insurance providers – please let us know if you have information about insurance companies that are willing to provide life cover and those that are reluctant to do so, or want to include a significant excess.
 
The MEA now has almost 70 leaflets and booklets covering all aspects of research, diagnosis and management.
 
The MEA Management Report contains the final analysis of data from around 3500 on-line questionnaires and 750 paper questionnaires.  The overall response makes this the largest ever survey of patient and carer opinion about management issues that has ever been undertaken here in the UK, possibly in the world.  The report can be downloaded using this link: www.meassociation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-survey-report-lo-res4.pdf  Extra paper copies can be obtained from the MEA at a cost of £2.  This research was funded by the Ramsay Research Fund.
 
The 2011 edition of ME/CFS/PVFS – An Exploration of the Key Clinical Issues  will shortly be replaced with a fully updated 20113 edition.
 
MEA literature can be obtained using the website pdf ORDER FORM:
www.meassociation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/MEA-Order-Form-31-January-2013.pdf

or the 8 page order form insert in the current issue of ME Essential magazine, or by phoning Head Office on 01280 818064/818968.
 
ME Awareness leaflet We have a new MEA leaflet prepared by BS and NS. The content concentrates on putting across to the general public what ME is and the devastating consequences it can have on an individual – illustrated by the case of Nicki’s son Jamie. To pilot its effect BS and NS have distributed a copy to every house in the village of Gawcott near Buckingham where the MEA is based.

ME Alert Card Trustees agreed to make some minor changes to this very popular credit size card at the next reprint. This will include a reference to problems with standing.

Dr Melvin Ramsay's book on the history of ME   Reprints of our 2005 re-publication of Dr Melvin Ramsay's ground-breaking book on the ME epidemic at the Royal Free Hospital 50 years earlier are now available. This book, which also covers some of the other famous outbreaks around the world, can be obtained using the MEA literature order form. It cannot be purchased in shops.

Trustees agreed to investigate the possibility of making some of our books and literature available in an electronic format. For further review at the April meeting.
 
MEA WEBSITE
 
Trustees discussed on-going alterations and additions to the MEA website.  If anyone has any comments or problems with either content or layout of our website please let us know.
 
RO previously led a discussion on the new on-line shopping and membership opening/renewal facility – which will include merchandise, literature, books and membership subscriptions.  We hope to be able to launch this new website facility fairly soon.
 
The monthly on-line website survey feature remains very popular.  Previous polls have asked about attitudes to flu vaccine, post-mortem research; how much people have spent on services/treatments outside the NHS; Rituximab vaccines as trigger factors and opinions on DWP medical assessments that are carried out by Atos. The current (February) question is collecting information on GP information and attitude towards people with ME.
 
Results from all the previous on-line surveys can be found on the MEA website.  If anyone has a suggestion for a future poll please let us know.
 
ME CONNECT
 
ME Connect training sessions will again take place this year. During 2012 training sessions covered common medical queries and employment and occupational health issues from a legal point of view. Further training sessions included emotional support and managing ME/symptomatic relief.

Total telephone calls for 2012: 2842 (3106 in 2011).  
Email  total 1084 (1666 in 2011).
The overall total for ME Connect in 2012 is: 3926 (4772 in 2011). 

The drop in emails, and consequently the overall total, is partly due to website changes that have been introduced.  This resulted in administrative and other office emails no longer going via ME Connect.

ME Connect, our telephone information and support service, operates every day of the week from 10am – 12 noon; 2pm – 4pm and 7pm – 9pm.  Tel: 0844 576 5326. 
 
We are very keen to hear from anyone who would like to join ME Connect as a volunteer.  If interested, please see the announcement in the February issue of ME Essential magazine or contact us via administration@meassociation.org.uk

ME ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
 
TB reported on the February 2013 issue (which is now at the printers) and plans for the May issue. The aim is to publish this at the beginning of May, which means that all copy for this issue must be with Tony Britton by April 1st.

The Editorial Board is always happy to receive constructive comments about any aspect of the magazine as well as contributions.

Medical content for the February issue includes items on:

Dealing with Your Doctor – a new Management File
Depression
Deterioration in symptoms – possible explanations
Headaches and tinted glasses
Liver function tests and Gilbert’s Syndrome
Post-mortem research
Private doctors and clinics – worth the expense?
Sleep research

Trustees agreed to collect some feedback from readers on the content and style of the magazine through the use of a questionnaire that will be sent out in April. In the meantime if you have any comments on the magazine, including constructive criticism, please let us know.
 
MEDIA

Trustees previously discussed the media coverage of the Lipkin XMRV study results – in particular the very unhelpful and unbalanced coverage in online blogs in the Daily Telegraph. The MEA then wrote to the Daily Telegraph to express our dismay at the way the story had been covered and requested a meeting to discuss future coverage of ME/CFS research. As a result CS was actively involved in the preparation of a major feature covering biomedical research into ME/CFS. This appeared on Monday November 26 and can be read here.

Trustees discussed recent media coverage of ME/CFS,including the forthcoming article in The Sunday Times.

Radio programmes: CS has been interviewed on various radio programmes over the past few months – including Radio Marlow and Radio Europe.

Social Media Trustees held a further brief discussion on the way in which we currently make use of social media – MEA website, MEA Facebook, twitter – and the way in which this needs to expand to reach people who now obtain much or all of their information through social media. Suggestions on how we could improve our use of social media are always welcome.
 
RESEARCH AND RAMSAY RESEARCH FUND (RRF)

RITUXIMAB
 
CS updated trustees on MEA initiatives that have been taking place since publication of results from the clinical trial that took place in Norway.
 
The MEA has worked with UK representatives of the Norwegian research group in order to obtain media publicity for the trial results. Examples include coverage via the BBC, New Scientist and Daily Mail.   
BBC coverage: www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15401746
 
CS has briefed the APPG on ME at Westminster, and the Forward ME Group, on the results.  The Chair of the APPG has written to the Medical Research Council to add encouragement to the need to set up a UK trial. This was discussed with Sir John Savill when he attended an APPG meeting in 2012.
 
CS has discussed the results, and a possible preliminary protocol for a UK clinical trial, with leading experts at University College London in the use of this drug and with the chair of the MRC Expert Group on ME/CFS research. Rituximab was also discussed in some detail at the research meeting that CS attended in New York in June 2012 – see meeting reports in the first part of this summary.
 
The MEA has made it clear that the Ramsay Research Fund is very happy to look at funding proposals for a UK clinical trial. Preliminary discussions have therefore taken place with UK researchers who may be willing to organize some form of further clinical trial – even if this was small in number given the enormous costs involved.

Unfortunately, this initiative has not progressed into a formal application for funding being received. Trustees have discussed a number of other options to try and stimulate interest here in the UK – including the possibility of raising guaranteed financial support, which would need to be well in excess of £200,000 – with a UK group of research-funding ME/CFS charities. We also discussed the possibility of funding an overseas group that have indicated interest in carrying out a clinical trial and stated that we would be willing to consider a proposal if those involved want to submit one.
 
A note of caution:  This is one small clinical trial.  We need to see the results from further clinical trials before coming to any firm conclusions about the way in which Rituximab might work in ME/CFS and whether or not it is an effective form of treatment for what may be a sub-group of people with ME/CFS who have an autoimmune component.   We do not want to see a repeat of the false hopes created by the XMRV research.
 
A revised version of a Question and Answer item on the rituximab trial can be found on the MEA website: www.meassociation.org.uk/?p=8459 

This information will be updated as further developments occur.
 
XMRV and MLV: 
 
The results of the Lipkin study – the US government funded study whereby blood samples from 150 people with ME/CFS and 150 controls were  tested blind in 3 different laboratories – have now been published.  Results from this study confirm that there is no link whatsoever between XMRV and ME/CFS.
 
An MEA statement on the Lipkin study can be found in the September 2012 news archive on the MEA website, along with numerous items of press coverage.

Abstracts from research papers relating to XMRV and ME/CFS can be found in the news archive on the MEA website.

AMERICAN RESEARCH ON EXERCISE CAPACITY

NS led a discussion at the December 2012 meeting on the American research into exercise tolerance and it was agreed that there was a need to stimulate UK interest in this area. It was also agreed to approach research contacts both here in the UK and in the USA about the possibility of carrying out a replication study here in the UK.

Summary of research that has recently been funded, or is being funded by the RRF
 
RRF and MRC:  Professor Anne McArdle, University of Liverpool – assessment of mitochondrial dysfunction in ME/CFS
 
University of Liverpool press release:

Scientists at the University of Liverpool are the first to use a new laboratory technique that could reveal the causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

CFS is a severely debilitating illness, characterised by prolonged fatigue that can be triggered by minimal activity. Fatigue is accompanied by symptoms that may include painful muscles and joints, disordered sleep patterns, gastric problems and cognitive impairment.
The causes of the condition are unknown, but some studies have suggested that a defect in the energy producing components of muscle cells, called mitochondria, could be responsible. Other studies, however, have not been able to demonstrate this defect. It is thought that limitations in the methods used to determine mitochondrial function in human muscle fibres could be the reason why the causes of CFS have been difficult to explore.
Scientists at Liverpool are the first to implement a newly developed technique that is more sensitive to identifying mitochondrial function within the muscle’s fibres. Researchers anticipate that these new methods will demonstrate whether skeletal muscle mitochondria in patients with CFS are dysfunctional, which would result in muscle fatigue and further complications leading to chronic inflammation and pain.
Professor Anne McArdle, from the University’s Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, said: “The mechanisms that lead to debilitating muscle fatigue and pain in CFS patients are unknown. The time required for diagnosis further complicates the identification of the factors responsible for triggering the illness. Reversal of the severe fatigue that follows remains the most promising form of treatment.
“Scientists have hypothesised that mitochondria malfunction, significantly reducing the energy supply to the muscle cells that allow the body to carry out its daily activities. The pain and inflammation that follows can cause further mitochondrial abnormalities and so the vicious cycle of events continue.
“At Liverpool we have established newly developed techniques in the laboratory that can identify dysfunction as it occurs in the muscle cells. It is at this point we can look at interventions to reverse or halt further damage.”

RRF funding: £30,000

Contractual arrangements involving the MRC and MEA have been agreed and CS updated trustees on recent correspondence with Professor McArdle. CS has arranged to visit the research centre to see work in progress. We have asked the research group to prepare a short summary for ME Essential.
 
RRF: Professor Julia Newton et al, University of Newcastle 

This RRF funded research involves muscle function in ME/CFS. 25 subjects were recruited via the Northern Regional ME/CFS Clinical Service.  The assessment procedures included testing autonomic nervous system function, muscle performance, an exercise physiology protocol, and body composition (ie the amount of fat and muscle present).  The second phase of the study involved the use of MRS (magnetic resonance spectroscopy) to assess the way in which skeletal muscle produces energy and lactic acid during exercise. 
 
The results of this study were published in the European Journal of Clinical Investigation in January 2012, 42(2), 186-94
 

Abstract:

Loss of capacity to recover from acidosis on repeat exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome: a case-control study.
Jones DE, Hollingsworth KG, Jakovljevic DG, Fattakhova G, Pairman J, Blamire AM, Trenell MI, Newton JL. Institute of Cellular Medicine Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre Institute for Ageing and Health The UK NIHR Biomedical Research Centre in Ageing and Age Related Diseases Newcastle Centre for Brain Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK.

BACKGROUND Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients frequently describe difficulties with repeat exercise. Here, we explore muscle bioenergetic function in response to three bouts of exercise.

METHODS A total of 18 CFS (CDC 1994) patients and 12 sedentary controls underwent assessment of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), repeat exercise with magnetic resonance spectroscopy and cardio-respiratory fitness test to determine anaerobic threshold.

RESULTS Chronic fatigue syndrome patients undertaking MVC fell into two distinct groups: 8 (45%) showed normal PCr depletion in response to exercise at 35% of MVC (PCr depletion >33%; lower 95% CI for controls); 10 CFS patients had low PCr depletion (generating abnormally low MVC values). The CFS whole group exhibited significantly reduced anaerobic threshold, heart rate, VO(2), VO(2) peak and peak work compared to controls. Resting muscle pH was similar in controls and both CFS patient groups. However, the CFS group achieving normal PCr depletion values showed increased intramuscular acidosis compared to controls after similar work after each of the three exercise periods with no apparent reduction in acidosis with repeat exercise of the type reported in normal subjects. This CFS group also exhibited significant prolongation (almost 4-fold) of the time taken for pH to recover to baseline.

CONCLUSION When exercising to comparable levels to normal controls, CFS patients exhibit profound abnormality in bioenergetic function and response to it. Although exercise intervention is the logical treatment for patients showing acidosis, any trial must exclude subjects who do not initiate exercise as they will not benefit. This potentially explains previous mixed results in CFS exercise trials.

RRF funding = approximately £13,800.

Newcastle University Fatigue Research Symposium: This research meeting included presentations from Professor Newton and colleagues on muscle and autonomic dysfunction research involving people with ME/CFS.  The meeting focussed on muscle research and considered the role of fatigue in other medical conditions such as HIV and other infections, mitochondrial myopathies, primary biliary cirrhosis and Sjogren's syndrome.  The session on HIV and fatigue covered the important issue of muscle mitochondrial damage following antiretroviral therapy (AZT) – something that would be very relevant if it ever transpires that a retrovital infection is a causative factor in ME/CFS and clinical trials involving antiretroviral therapy take place.  A summary of the Newcastle meeting is available on the MEA website: https://meassociation.org.uk/?p=975
 
An abstract from a research paper from Professor Newton's research group, which relates to an investigation into cardiac (= heart) and skeletal muscle (= muscle that moves bones) can be found on the MEA website. 
 
An abstract from another recent study from this research group, relating to abnormalities in pH (ie acid) handling by skeletal muscle, can be found here: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2796.2009.02160.x/abstract
 
RRF: Factors involved in the development of severe ME/CFS 
 
The results of this questionnaire-based research involving people with severe ME, carried out by Professor Derek Pheby and Dr Lisa Saffron, can be found on the MEA website: https://meassociation.org.uk/?p=784 
 
There is a vast amount of useful information in this paper for anyone with severe ME/CFS, especially those who are involved in disputes over benefits, social care etc.

Professor Pheby will be giving a presentation to the next meeting of the APPG on ME on the subject of severe ME.
 
RRF funding = approximately £30,000.

RRF: Gene expression research 
 
Results from the study into gene expression carried out by Professor John Gow and colleagues in Glasgow, and funded by the RRF, can be found in the open access scientific journal, BMC Medical Genomics: 
www.meassociation.org.uk/?p=642
 
RRF funding = approximately £38,000.
 
RRF:  ME Biobank, Disease Register/Patient Database and Post-mortem tissue bank  CS updated trustees on both of these research initiatives.
 
Biobank:  A group of three charities – AfME, MEA and MERUK – along with a very generous private donor raised approx £160,000 in funding in order to set up the first ME Biobank for research into this illness.  Work commenced in August 2011 and funding covered the first phase of the project, which ended in November 2012.

This is a great achievement and once the facility has a collection of stored blood samples these will be made available to researchers who want to look at causation, sub-grouping and treatment.  More information on the ME Biobank, including a question and answer item, appears in the November 2011 issue of ME Essential . 

As a result of continuing discussion between the four current funders since July 2012 it was agreed that around £160,000 of new funding would be made available in November. This will enable the ME Biobank to continue with existing work and to also expand the number of blood samples being collected and stored. It also covers first year funding for the Disease Register.

Funding and contractual arrangements have now been agreed. This will enable phase/year two of the Biobank to proceed and the Patient Database will be set up at the New University of Buckingham.

CS reported that two meeting will be held on Tuesday 23 April 23. First will be a regular steering group meeting. Second will be a meeting to discuss the protocols that will need to be agreed for researchers who wish to make use of Biobank samples. There will be presentations from a number of doctors who are involved in various aspects of Biobank work.

RRF Funding: approximately £40,000 in both 2012 and 2013 (includes Biobank and Disease Register)

Post-mortem tissue bank: The results from four post-mortems carried out in the UK have been presented and discussed at an international research conference in Australia. More information, including a paper can be found in a post-mortem and tissue bank update on the MEA website.
 
A paper describing the way in which we are hoping to set up a tissue bank has been published in the Journal of Clinical Pathology. 
Abstract: http://jcp.bmj.com/content/early/2010/10/05/jcp.2010.082032
 
Plans for the post-mortem tissue bank are currently on hold because this will be a far more expensive and time-consuming project to set up
 
Trustees agreed at a previous meeting to some further funding to assist Dr Dominic O'Donovan (neuropathologist at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge) with the virological examination of existing post-mortem material.
 
RRF funding = £500
 
Donating blood and tissue samples to ME/CFS research:
 
We are aware that people with ME/CFS are very keen to donate blood samples for research studies, and in some cases tissue samples after death.  Unfortunately, we cannot accept any blood samples until the ME Biobank facility is fully established.

However, we are intending to set up a database of contact details of people who would be willing to donate blood samples when this can be arranged
 
As far as tissue and post-mortem samples is concerned, the November 2010 issue of ME Essential magazine contains information that can be placed in a Will, or as a Codicil to a Will.  This gives permission for tissue to be taken after death, along with further information on what we may be able to do with tissue donation prior to a post-mortem tissue bank being set up. 

A comprehensive update on the Biobank and Post-Mortem Tissue Bank, including a link to the statement of intent, can be found in the news section (September 2012 archive) of the MEA website: www.meassociation.org.uk/?p=12558
 
RRF: RESEARCH PROPOSALS 
 
The MEA is currently in a position to fund new research in addition to current commitments and the funding that has been set aside to set up a UK tissue and post-mortem bank.  Information on the work of the RRF can be downloaded from the research section of the MEA website.

RRF: New collaborative (Glasgow and Brussels) research proposal involving exercise-induced fatigue and post-exertional malaise

At the April 2012 Board meeting trustees discussed a peer review report on a funding application for a biomedical research study that aims to increase our understanding of the pathological and physiological mechanisms that cause exercise induced fatigue and post-exertional malaise in ME/CFS. Following some changes to the application, as a result of the peer review process, trustees agreed to fund the study, which will be carried in two European centres.

The study should help to demonstrate whether there are any pathophysiological abnormalities present, which may even be treatable, in people who meet the Fukuda research definition for CFS and the Canadian definition for ME/CFS (definitions or links to these definitions can be found in the MEA purple booklet). The study will also include a group of people with multiple sclerosis who experience significant fatigue (to see if there are any similarities) and a group of healthy controls with sedentary lifestyles.

Trustees finalised the contractual and funding arrangements for this research – which commenced in January 2013.

RR Funding: £32,000

Sleep studies Trustees discussed three preliminary research proposals relating to sleep disturbance in ME/CFS at their December meeting. One of the proposals, a feasibility study relating to the development of a sleep management programme for people with ME/CFS, was then sent for peer review.

Following further discussion between Board meetings it was agreed to fund the feasibility study, which will be looking at different types of sleep disturbance in ME/CFS and possible approaches to management. Sleep abnormalities (and specific types of sleep disturbance) will be thoroughly assessed in 40 patients. A tailored sleep management programme will then be devised based on this information and delivered in collaboration with each patient.

The study will be carried out by Professor Jason Ellis and colleagues at the Northumbria Centre for Sleep Research, University of Northumbria. Those involved have close links with Professor Julia Newton’s research group in Newcastle – from where patients will be recruited – and Professor Newton will be involved in the individual management programmes.

More details will appear in the May issue of ME Essential magazine.

RRF Funding: approximately £15,000
 
Ramsay Research Fund Grant Application Form   A new electronic application form is now available.
 
Other research:
 
ME Observatory 
 
Abstracts from two of the most recent MEO research papers to be published can be found here: 
www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1471-2296-11-89.pdf 
www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/402  
 
Conclusions from latter paper covering functional status: ME/CFS is disabling and has a greater impact on functional status and well being than other chronic diseases such as cancer. The emotional burden of ME/CFS is felt by lay carers as well as by people with ME/CFS. We suggest the use of generic instruments such as SF-36, in combination of other objective outcome measurements, to describe patients and assess treatments.
 
Medical Research Council (MRC) Expert Group and Prioritisation Group on ME/CFS Research 

A new MRC highlight notice aimed at encouraging research applications, particularly involving neuropathology, has been made. More details can be found in the August 2012 issue of ME Essential magazine.

A meeting took place at the Royal Society of Medicine on Thursday September 27th 2012 to take forward the idea of setting up an ME/CFS research collaborative that would bring together a wide range of people – including scientists, research funding charities, the pharmaceutical industry – who are interested in ME/CFS research.

CS reported that this initiative is moving forward with the full support from the APPG on ME. A steering group has been formed (CS is a member) and the collaborative will be given a high profile launch at the Wellcome Collection on April 22.

CS also reported that the MRC Expert Group on ME/CFS has now been disbanded by the MRC.
 
Background information on MRC funded research:

In December 2011, the MRC announced details of five awards they are making in relation to the £1.5 million of ring fenced funding for biomedical research that was secured as a result of the work carried out by the MRC Expert Group on ME/CFS research. 

Details of the five awards can be found in the December news archive on the MEA website: https://meassociation.org.uk and in the January issue of ME Essential magazine.
 
The MRC have now updated the main MRC page on CFS/ME (www.mrc.ac.uk/Ourresearch/ResearchInitiatives/CFSME/index.htm) to include greater detail of the projects funded under the ‘Understanding the Mechanisms of CFS/ME’ call (specifically the lay and technical summaries), along with Panel Membership details and the guidance documents that were produced for reviewers and Panel Members.   

The link to the project summaries document can be found under the section ‘MRC-funded research projects’. This information is also on the MEA website in the April news archive.

The study involving mitochondrial dysfunction is being co-funded by the MRC and the MEA Ramsay Research Fund.
 
Recommendations for research priorities that were agreed by the Prioritisation Group can be found here:
www.meassociation.org.uk/?p=4727
 
Minutes to the priority group meeting can be found here:  
www.mrc.ac.uk/Utilities/Documentrecord/index.htm?d=MRC007174

York University

CS is collaborating on a new research study that also involves researchers in Norway.

Oxford University

After the Tuesday Board meeting CS is going to Oxford to meet with a research group to discuss their current research.

DATE OF NEXT BOARD MEETING

Provisionally fixed for Monday and Tuesday, 29th and 30th April 2013
 
Summary prepared by Dr Charles Shepherd, Trustee and Hon Medical Adviser | 19 February 2013