Thank you for contacting me about the treatment of people with ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and the work of the APPG on ME.
As you know, in August 2021 NICE paused the publication of its updated guideline on the diagnosis and management of ME/CFS. I warmly welcome that the final guidelines have now been published.
The guidelines cover every aspect of ME/CFS in children, young people and adults from its identification and assessment before and after diagnosis to its management, monitoring and review. Recognising that there is no one size fits all approach, they also emphasise the importance of a personalised management plan for those living with ME/CFS.
I was particularly encouraged to see that the new guidelines recommend a route to earlier diagnosis for those with ME/CFS. The length of time that a patient experiences persistent symptoms before a diagnosis is made has been reduced from four months to three.
Additionally, the guidelines make it clear that any programme based on fixed incremental increases in exercise, for example graded exercise therapy, should not be offered for the treatment of ME/CFS. Many of my constituents have contacted me to say why they wanted an end to graded exercise therapy and so I welcome that concerns like the ones shared with me have been heard.
I appreciate that this period of delay has been difficult for people living with ME/CFS. I hope, by taking the additional time to provide more explanatory detail and improve the clarity of recommendations, the guidelines that have been published will be effectively implemented and really make a difference to people’s lives.
Thank you to those who invited me to attend the AGM of the APPG on ME. I regret that I cannot attend the meeting due to my other parliamentary duties.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
