NICE Guideline > Access to care and support
Access to care and support
1.8 Access to care and support
Also see the section on care for people with severe or very severe ME/CFS.
1.8.1 Health and social care organisations should ensure that people with ME/CFS can use their services by:
- adapting the timing, length and frequency of all appointments to the person's needs
- taking into account physical accessibility, such as how far the person has to travel, whether there is suitable transport and parking, and where rooms are for appointments
- taking into account sensitivities to light, sound, touch, pain, temperature extremes or smells
- providing care flexibly to the person's needs, such as by online or phone consultations or making home visits.
1.8.2 If a person with ME/CFS misses an appointment:
- do not discharge them for not attending because it could be due to their symptoms worsening
- discuss why they could not attend and how the multidisciplinary team can support them.
1.8.3Be aware that people with ME/CFS are unlikely to be seen at their worst because:
- debilitating symptoms or the risk that their symptoms will worsen may prevent people from leaving their home
- cognitive difficulties may often mean people wait until they feel they can speak and explain clearly before contacting services.