NHS Lothian to improve service ME patients

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NHS Lothian to improve

service for ME patients

A recent report published by NHS Lothian

has highlighted the results of a survey of

people suffering from Myalgic

Encephalomyelitis (ME) from across

Edinburgh and the Lothians.

20 May 2009 07:00 AM

NHS Lothian

A recent report published by NHS Lothian has

highlighted the results of a survey of people

suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) from

across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

The Believe in ME study show patients' experiences

of living with the condition and of accessing and

using services in Lothian.

The survey sought the views 168 people diagnosed

with ME - also referred to as Chronic Fatigue

Syndrome (CFS), or Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome.

The patients' experiences highlighted in the report

show that many felt that they were met with

scepticism about ME from health professionals and

people at large.

They also felt there were delays in diagnosis and

lack of support in managing their symptoms from

health professionals.

Jackie Sansbury, NHS Lothian's director of strategic

planning and modernisation, said in a statement:

" The survey results published in Believe in ME have

helped identify what patients with ME/CFS in Lothian

need in terms of better support.

" The patients' views will be incorporated into a

review of ME services, which we are currently

undertaking. "

Liz Blackadder, from Edinburgh ME self help group

Edmesh, said: " Edmesh group is very happy to see

the publication of the Believe in ME report for

Lothian and hopes that it has a wide circulation and

that all its recommendations will be implemented.

" It will be critical that the patients' viewpoints and

experiences are central to service developments and

edmesh is keen that the voices of people with ME

are not lost. "

The ish Government is to launch two initiatives

for people with ME - a ish Good Practice

Statement for GPs on the diagnosis and management

of ME/CFS and a national consultation on a needs

assessment of health services for people living with

the illness.

Ms Blackadder added: " Edmesh sees the launch of

the two national initiatives during ME Awareness

Week as a very important milestone in the

development of services for people with ME in

Scotland and the recognition of ME as a serious

long-term condition for many people. "