A specialist NHS service that seeks to meet the needs of people who have a diagnosis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) in Norfolk and Waveney.

What do we provide?

The service provides assessment, diagnosis, management, advice, education and support for people who have a diagnosis of ME/CFS.

Our Team

• GPs with a specialist interest (GPwSI) and knowledge of ME/CFS
• Specialist Occupational Therapists (OT)
• Administrative staff.

How is ME/CFS treated?

There is no single specific medical treatment for ME/CFS, and although many treatments have been suggested, few have been thoroughly tested.

There is now good evidence for management strategies such as activity management, which enable people to control and improve their fatigue levels.  This is done by addressing how energy is used and managing other factors which impact upon fatigue.  Also, it is useful to use strategies to control debilitating symptoms.

We believe in patients being central to the therapy process, and we focus on supporting patients to apply strategies which they can use to help themselves.  We seek to work with you to help you achieve improvement in your condition and establish and maintain a quality of life.

Accessing the service

When we receive the referral, we will contact you. We send out a pre-clinic questionnaire for completion, and upon its return, you will be offered an initial appointment with either a GPwSI or a Specialist OT.

Longer-term support and follow-up visits are available for those people diagnosed with ME/CFS. You will be allocated a Specialist OT with whom you can arrange appointments at the locations listed below and/or via phone or email if this is more convenient for you.

The ME/CFS service covers the whole of Norfolk and Waveney. If you are unsure if our service covers your area, please contact us.

The Norfolk and Waveney ME/CFS service is provided by East Coast Community Healthcare CIC. Your first appointment will be with either a GP with a special interest in ME/CFS or one of our specialist therapy team. The appointments will usually be via telephone or video call. After this, we offer self-management therapy sessions via online groups, and our specialist therapy team are available to provide additional support as required.