New ME/CFS service for the Tees Valley
A new service for ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients has been funded for one year for the Tees Valley. This is the 5th service for the Northern Region.

The multidisciplinary team
The Clinical Lead for the new service is Dr Brendan McCarron (Consultant Physician, Infectious Diseases). The team have appointed a Specialist Nurse (part-time), a Psychologist (part-time) and are currently recruiting for a Physiotherapist. The team is small but friendly and keen to develop the service for all patients in the future (once funding is secured).

The present team includes: Dr McCarron (Clinical Lead/Consultant Physician, Infectious Diseases) Dr David R Chadwick (Consultant Physician, Infectious Diseases) Sister Amanda McGough (Specialist Nurse ME/CFS) Dr Alison Woods (Clinical Psychologist – from September 2009)

The service is based at James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough.

The service programme
Adult patients can be referred for specialist assessment, confirmation of diagnosis and development of an individualised management plan with fixed review. The management plan will include advice on pacing, activity management, counselling/cognitive behavioural therapy and the development of coping strategies.

The emphasis will be on developing the self-management skills of the patient, with specialist advice and support (which may include referral to other support e.g. the Expert Patient Programme). The team can provide specialist advice to Primary Care on further management if needed.

The service is an outpatient service and the team are planning to offer a telephone consultation service in the future.

Accessing the service
Patients need to be referred by their GP and the team have sent out referral guidance to all GPs through the Choose and Book service (under Infectious Diseases).

Referrals should be sent to Dr Brendan McCarron or Dr David Chadwick, ID Consultants, Department of Infectious Diseases, James Cook University Hospital.

Contact details
For further information, please contact:

The ME/CFS team,
Department of Infectious Diseases
James Cook University Hospital
South Tees Foundation NHS Trust
Marton Road
Middlesbrough TS4 3BW

Tel: 01642 835898 (direct telephone number with answer machine)