Late last year I was invited to attend the annual conference of the John Richardson Research Trust at Shepherd’s Dene, near Corbridge. This group is dedicated to continuing the pioneering work of Dr John Richardson into researching the nature of ME. Although small, this international group of researchers has an impressive array of expertise and enthusiasm.

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend every session of the conference and was also lost at times in the scientific concepts being discussed. However, the highlights for me were as follows:

- Dr Vance Spence explored possible cardiovascular symptoms associated with ME and also raised the question of ME being one illness or a group of related illnesses;

- Dr Byron Hyde explained the range and depth of examinations of people diagnosed with ME that are performed at his clinic in Canada, far greater than anything available in the NHS;

- Dr Spurr gave an overview of his experience in general practice treating people with ME in accordance with the approach pioneered by Dr Richardson;

- Dr Ansley and Professor Newton outlined the research programmes underway in Newcastle on fatigue processing chemicals in the blood and the incidence of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome among people with ME.

There was also a joint session with Jennifer from ME North East and Amy Tait from the Sunderland & South Tyneside ME/CFS group about the NHS clinical services; this included some discussion about the Gibson Enquiry & NICE guidelines.

This was my first personal encounter with the work and reputation of Dr Richardson. Many of our “longer-serving” members (if I might use this expression) will have heard of him or been his patients. Clearly he was a determined and insightful doctor who believed in the reality of ME and supported people with the illness long before it was accepted medical practice to do so. He was also very generous; the John Richardson Research Trust (JRRT) was established and supported by means of a legacy from Dr Richardson.

Nevertheless, this was also a sad occasion as it was the final meeting of the JRRT. However, Dr Richardson’s legacy will continue; the research funds and effort has been transferred to Professor Julia Newton at the RVI, one of the patrons for ME North East. I am sure that all our members who have met or heard of Dr Richardson will be delighted that his legacy will continue.

I think this conference raised some important issues. Full clinical examination is an important part of the diagnosis, yet not all NHS services have a comprehensive medical screening by consultant physicians. I believe that such screening is essential given the considerable scope for misdiagnosis & complicating secondary conditions. This would greatly strengthen NHS care for people with ME. There is also the question of how does the NHS demonstrate the value and effectiveness of its services for people with ME – there is a serious lack of published information at the moment. This is especially disappointing as our own survey indicates that most users of the NHS service find the care helpful and supportive.

Perhaps in accordance with Dr Richardson’s prevailing spirit, I found this conference uplifting – it is always gratifying to realise the calibre of researchers investigating this illness. I would like to thank Professor Malcolm Hooper (University of Sunderland) for his kindness in inviting me to this conference. If anyone would like more details of the presentations then please contact our office or alternatively ME Research UK, who also supported the event.

Philip Burns

Chairman ME North East