Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of support provided by his Department for individuals suffering from myalgic encephalomyelitis to access further education.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephaolomyelitis, published in 2007, makes a number of recommendations in regard to accessing education. The clinician overseeing an individual’s care should provide information on returning to work or education and recommend flexible adaptions that would make this possible. This may include, with consent, clinicians liaising with education providers and support services. The ability of a person to continue in education should be addressed early and reviewed regularly.
The NICE guidance set outs best practice for clinicians on the diagnosis, treatment care and support of people with the condition and supports commissioners to to plan services for local populations. The full guidance can be found at the following link:
On 20 September 2017, NICE announced its decision to undertake a full update of the guidance. More information on this decision can be found at the following link: