The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Delivery Plan on ME/CFS was published a year ago this week on July 22 2025:
The Delivery Plan contained a large number of action points relating to attitudes and awareness of ME/CFS, the care and management of people with ME/CFS, education and training of health professionals and research into ME/CFS.
MEA statement at the time of publishing (July 2025)
Present day
Whilst expressing disappointment with some of key parts of the Delivery Plan we have been working with our colleagues at Forward ME, the DHSC, NHS England and other organisations involved to try and ensure that these action points are being progressed and implemented – with varying degrees of success.
Some of the key points that we are involved with are referred to in the MEA statement on the appointment of Yvette Cooper as the new Secretary of State for Health:
The DHSC were intending to issue a comprehensive progress report to coincide with this one year anniversary (22nd July 2026). However, this has now been delayed due to the change in ministerial appointments and a new Secretary of State for Health
We will issue a more detailed statement when the DHSC publish their one year progress report.
Dr Charles Shepherd,
Trustee and Hon. Medical Adviser to the ME Association,
Member of the 2018-2021 NICE guideline on ME/CFS committee,
Member of the 2002 Chief Medical Officer's Working Group on ME/CFS
Further information
- The ME Association: MP Julian Smith asks parliamentary questions regarding the lack healthcare provision for people with very severe ME | July 17, 2026