David Reed, Conservative MP for Exmouth and Exeter East, asked the following question about the ME/CFS delivery plan date, which was answered by Ashley Dalton, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health and Social Care and Labour MP for West Lancashire on 28 February 2025.
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the final delivery plan on myalgic encephalomyelitis will be published in March 2025; and what steps he plans to take to ensure its effectiveness without additional funding.
Answer
We aim to publish the myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), final delivery plan in the coming months. The content of the ME/CFS delivery plan has not yet been finalised. The responses to the 2023 interim delivery plan consultation, along with continued close engagement with stakeholders, will inform the development of the final ME/CFS delivery plan. The plan will focus on boosting research, improving attitudes and education, and bettering the lives of people living with this debilitating disease. Following the publication of the final delivery plan, we will monitor the progress across all actions in the delivery plan to ensure timely implementation and periodically report to stakeholders as appropriate.
“For the past few months we have been constantly assured that the final version of the ME/CFS Delivery Plan will be published in March.
This has been the position at our most recent meetings with the DHSC.
The reply to this parliamentary question, which was published on February 28th, no longer mentions March and refers to ‘coming months’.
So it appears that the March deadline may not be met…..”
Dr Charles Shepherd
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
Dr S is going to write to the Minister Ashley Dalton to seek clarification on the publication date.
More Information
- House of Lords Q&A on the DHSC Delivery Plan for ME/CFS | February 28, 2025
- House of Lords Q&A on ME/CFS Delivery Plan | February 27, 2025
- Parliamentary Q&A on Funding for ME/CFS delivery plan and Centre of Excellence for chronic conditions | February 17, 2025
- The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) publishes the outcome of the consultation process for the DHSC Delivery Plan on ME/CFSÂ Â |Â December 20, 2024