ME/CFS: Joint HOSC 27/07/10

NHS Norfolk confirmed that they are supportive of the Patients and Carers requirements but was having difficulty in securing an appropriate consultant. Development of the new service will fully involve Patients, Carers and LINks.

The Committee will not consider the ME/CFS Service again until the NHS Commissioners are in a position to bring forward a proposal for substantial change.

In the meantime
two Committee members agreed to attend the meetings between Patients/Carers, NHS and LINks to provide a critical challenge to the work going forward.

For more details please click here
LINks submission to HOSC here

ME/CFS: Service Development Meeting 01/07/10

Work is ongoing to secure a biomedical consultant and for further clinic locations in Norfolk. There are problems with identifying appropriately trained healthcare professionals to work in Suffolk. The challenge of training GP's is recognised. However it is hoped that when a consultant is in place the profile of the service will be raised.

The current service is not based on what patients have told the NHS they want, and does not provide the service model which has been commissioned by the 3 PCT's. There is a high level of unmet need especially with regard to ongoing care and acute care. NHS Gt Yarmouth & Waveney agreed that the current service can be 'tweaked' while waiting for the new service to be put in place.

Concern was expressed that the Equality and Diversity Statement signed in November 2009 by NHS Gt Yarmouth & Waveney Provider Arm. In answer to the question 'Is there a known public concern with this service?' The reply was 'no'.

To read more about the meeting click here