Family doctors in one of the most mountainous parts of the UK are to be treated to an ME/CFS training session later this month.
GPs in the Fort William area of the Scottish Highlands are being invited to attend a training session at Fort William Medical Centre on Tuesday, February 25 which is being arranged by local group, Lochaber ME. The session will be conducted by the ME Association's medical adviser, Dr Charles Shepherd.
Hopefully, the doctors will have no major mountains to climb as they absorb the most up-to-date information about this often-misunderstood illness.
Patients get a look in later in the evening: members of Lochaber ME and visitors will be able to join in a Question and Answer session with Dr Shepherd at the Alexandra Hotel, The Parade, Fort William PH33 6AZ, between 7.30 and 9.30pm – entrance costing £2 each.
The Highlands have a quite a high incidence of tick-borne Lyme Disease and Dr Shepherd – who is also interested in post-Lyme syndrome – will be happy to answer questions about this, too.
Those too ill to attend the evening can email their questions to m.e.lochaber@googlemail.com
Meg Pollock, founder and convenor of the Lochaber ME Group, said Dr Shepherd already knew the area. He looked after ponies on a gaming estate in Glen Roy about 40 years ago.
“Lochaber ME members are very pleased that GPs and allied health professionals will have the opportunity to learn more about this complex, debilitating and poorly understood illness”, said Meg.
“NHS Highland has been considering the possibility of setting up a specialist service for people with PVFS/ CFS/ ME. This service is badly needed and Dr Shepherd’s visit is a great opportunity for NHS Highland bosses to learn about how these services are delivered elsewhere.”
Despite the deer ticks, I’m wondering whether the best option for ME patients is to head for the hills? Or is it unrealistic to imagine this sort of excellent training finding it’s way below Hadrian’s Wall? Given recent floods and other matters, maybe we should all emigrate to the Highlands since it may soon be the only place worth living. Bonnie, Bonnie Scotland.
Hi Middle Way
Don’t be rushing north too soon. A Fort William GP told me recently that the only person ‘who takes an interest in these things (me/cfs)’ is Dr ***** the psychiatrist.