Along with some of my colleagues from Forward ME I will be meeting Professor Martin Marshall from the Royal College of General Practitioners later today to discuss the implementation of the new NICE guideline on ME/CFS in primary care/general practice.
The meeting will therefore be focussing on issues that relate to GPs. In particular:
- The need for education and training of GPs on ME/CFS – as many GPs are still unsure about how and when to diagnose ME/CFS and how to manage these patients (1.16.1)
- Making an early and accurate diagnosis – normally within 3 months of the onset of symptoms – and providing appropriate management advice when ME/CFS is being suspected (1.2 and 1.3)
- Referral to a specialist team/service for confirmation of the diagnosis and preparation of a care and management plan. Including the problems that arise where no local ME/CFS specialist referral service exists (1.4)
- GP management of basic symptoms – including activity and energy management, pain, sleep, dysautonomia (1.11 and 1.12)
- Care of the severely and very severely affected – including home visiting (1.17)
- Follow up and monitoring in primary care (1.15)
For reference please see a PDF copy of the NICE Guideline on ME/CFS
We will not have time to discuss individual problems today
However, if anyone has any recent experiences – positive or negative – with their GP on either ME/CFS in general or the points above relating to recommendations in the new NICE guideline, please email us using: Feedback@meassociation.org.uk