GPs are set to play a key role in delivering care for people with mild and moderate ME\/CFS under a new delivery plan published today by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). <\/p>\n
NHS England is developing a \u2018template service specification for mild and moderate ME\/CFS\u2019, which will be shared with integrated care boards (ICBs) to support commissioning. <\/p>\n
According to the plan, this specification \u2018will fully take into account NICE guidelines on ME\/CFS\u2019 and be delivered via the new \u2018neighbourhood health service\u2019. <\/p>\n
The Government said the template aims to support more consistent local provision of services and improve quality of care. Stakeholders will be consulted through a new health services subgroup of the ME\/CFS Task and Finish Group. <\/p>\n
The plan also includes early steps toward commissioning a specialised service for people with very severe ME\/CFS. DHSC and NHS England will \u2018explore whether a specialised service should be prescribed by the Secretary of State for Health\u2019 and have held initial discussions. This would be subject to advice from a clinical committee and funding availability. <\/p>\n
Announcing the plan today, the Government<\/a> said it would ensure patients suffering from the effects of ME\/CFS can access quality care, closer to home, as pledged in the 10-Year Health Plan. And, \u2018as a priority\u2019 it \u2018will introduce new training for NHS healthcare professionals, featuring up-to-date learning resources to increase understanding and ensure signs aren\u2019t missed\u2019. <\/p>\n \u2018This will help combat the stigma faced by people living with ME\/CFS, which stems from a lack of awareness about the condition,\u2019 the announcement said. <\/p>\n Among existing moves to improve clinical care of ME\/CFS patients, the plan highlighted a recent NICE Clinical Knowledge Summary on ME\/CFS<\/a>, which it described as \u2018well used, particularly in primary care\u2019. <\/p>\n And to further improve treatment of ME\/CFS patients, healthcare professionals \u2018from across disciplines and people with personal experience, including carers, will come together to produce a \u201cLanguage Matters in ME\/CFS\u201d guide\u2019, the plan said. <\/p>\n As part of efforts to improve professional education, NHS England has now produced new e-learning modules on ME\/CFS, it added. According to the plan, the GMS is also currently undertaking a review of how it ensures key conditions, including ME\/CFS, are taught in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education and training. <\/p>\n A revised estimate recently predicted there are around 404,000 people affected by ME\/CFS in England<\/a> \u2013 62% higher than the previously accepted figure of 250,000. <\/p>\n However, patients often face long delays in diagnosis \u2013 in some cases over a decade \u2013 and report low satisfaction with NHS care, particularly at the primary care level. Clinicians have also reported a lack of clear pathways and training in managing the condition. <\/p>\n The most recent NICE guideline on ME\/CFS was published in 2021<\/a> after a delay sparked by a clinical row regarding recommendations to not use graded exercise therapy (GET) and CBT as treatments for the condition. <\/p>\n Whilst the guidelines continue to recommend against the treatment options, they have continued to be challenged, including via a paper in 2023 which saw researchers argue they were \u2018not evidence based\u2019.<\/a> <\/p>\n