On the 7th of January, MP Jo Platt (Labour/Co-operative, Leigh and Atherton) newly appointed chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (APPG on ME) asked the following question at a Health and Social Care debate held in the House of Commons.
Question
Jo Platt, Labour/Co-operative, Leigh and Atherton
“Groups such as Action for ME and Long Covid Support tirelessly advocate for improved care for over 2 million people living in the UK. How will the Minister ensure that NHS reforms deliver timely diagnosis, effective treatment and long-term support for those affected?”
Answer
Andrew Gwynne, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health and Social Care
“My hon. Friend raises a really important point. NHS England is due to complete a stocktake of long covid services throughout England at the end of this month. That will provide an accurate in-depth overview of not only long covid services but ME/CFS —myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome—services.
The stocktake will provide a comprehensive and accurate national picture, identify key challenges and make strategic recommendations for future service improvement, development and assurance.”
MEA Comment
We hope that this ‘stocktake' and strategic review of Long Covid and ME/CFS specialist service provision in England, will complement the Final Delivery Plan on ME/CFS and the work we have been doing with ICBs and local services to try and ensure sufficient funding is available to make the improvements which are necessary to fully comply with the NICE Guideline recommendations.