Recently, a few MPs have asked parliamentary questions surrounding the timeframe and delay of the DHSC delivery plan on ME/CFS and whether there are plans to establish more NHS specialist services for patients.
Yuan Yang, Labour, Early and Woodley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his planned timeframe is for the chronic fatigue syndrome delivery plan.
Ashley Dalton, Parliamentary Under-Secretary Department of Health and Social Care answered on 8th of April:
We have listened to key myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), stakeholders to allow for more time to develop the plan, to help ensure we can be as ambitious as possible and make the most impact for those living with ME/CFS. As such, we aim to publish the plan by the end of June 2025.
RT Hon John McDonnell, Independent, Hayes and Harlington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his planned publication date is of the ME/CFS Delivery Plan; and for what reason it has been delayed.
Ashley Dalton, Parliamentary Under-Secretary Department of Health and Social Care answered on 8th of April:
We aim to publish the final delivery plan by the end of June. We have listened to key myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), stakeholders to allow for more time to develop the plan and help ensure we can be as ambitious as possible to make the most impact for those living with ME/CFS.
It will also enable the final delivery plan to align more closely with wider related Government strategies such as the forthcoming 10-Year Health Plan. The extension to the publication timeline will allow vital further engagement with the ME/CFS Task and Finish Group and those, across Government and beyond, responsible for actions in the final delivery plan. Through this engagement, we will further scope and develop new and stronger actions seeking to deliver meaningful change for the ME/CFS community.
Siân Berry, Green Party, Brighton Pavilion: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 28 March 2025 to Question 40020 on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Health Services, whether he has had discussions with the British Association of Clinicians in ME/CFS on the myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome delivery plan; and whether that plan will establish more NHS specialist ME/CFS services.
Ashley Dalton, Parliamentary Under-Secretary Department of Health and Social Care answered on 8th of April:
We are engaging with our myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), Task and Finish Group, including the British Association of Clinicians in ME/CFS, seeking their feedback and suggestions as we develop our final delivery plan for ME/CFS. We will use that feedback, alongside the responses to the 2023 consultation on the interim delivery plan, to inform the final delivery plan, which we will publish by the end of June.
The contents of the delivery plan are still being finalised. However, the three key themes will be boosting research, improving attitudes and education, and bettering the lives of people with this debilitating disease.