The National: Carol Monaghan hits out over delay to guidance for ME diagnosis and management

August 19, 2021


SNP MP Carol Monaghan has slammed the National Institute for Health Care Excellence (NICE) for delaying its promised guideline on the diagnosis and management of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

Monaghan, who is chair of the all-party parliamentary group on ME/CFS, said that people with the disease are dismayed that the publication of the new NICE guideline has been delayed without sufficient prior warning.

The new guideline was expected to be released yesterday, but NICE released a statement confirming a delay because the proposed guideline had not received the full support necessary for its introduction…

Extracts

“I have watched the media dialogue around the new NICE guideline heat up during the months following the release of the draft. While I recognise that it may require time for the new guideline to be acknowledged by some within the medical community, it is of vital importance that medical professionals take notice of the patient voice and the science. 

“The guideline release should not be postponed any further. It has taken three years to get to this stage, and it is clear that the NICE committee have been rigorous in their assessment of all relevant forms of evidence.

“People with ME can wait no longer for improved care and support, and I appeal to NICE to publish the new guideline without delay.”


Carol Monaghan, MP, SNP, Chair APPG on ME, Vice-Chair Forward-ME.
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