Extracts
While some passionate nurses are already working in – and leading – ME/CFS services, they are few and far between, with care mostly delivered by occupational therapists (OTs), doctors, psychologists and dietitians.
The same is true of care for long Covid – a condition that emerged during the pandemic and is increasingly being treated alongside ME/CFS due to their similarities.
However, with ME/CFS and long Covid patients all facing a postcode lottery in access to diagnosis, support and care, and the prevalence of these conditions rising, some people are advocating for nurses to have a greater role.
One proposal is for a new national network of nurses to be introduced for this group of patients, similar to those in place for a range of other conditions, such as cancer and dementia.
Anna Gregorowski, a consultant nurse in ME/CFS since 2004 and chair of the British Association of Clinicians in ME/CFS (BACME), thought that such a network of nurses was an “excellent idea”.
The ME Association has recently launched a health and social care project, with the aim of working with health providers to boost provision and ensure they are adhering to the 2021 NICE guidance.
Karren Winters-Cavalot, Head of Health and Social Care who is leading the project agreed that the specialist nurse role was an “ideal” one to help address gaps in services.
“To be fair, I don’t understand why there aren’t nurses in pretty much every single clinic,” she said.
Russell Fleming, Head of project development said “I think nurse specialists would have a brilliant role to provide a service for the severely and very severely affected,” adding that they would be particularly valuable for delivering care in the community.