The Conference theme “Delivering Clinical Services for CFS/ME” created lots of interest, excellent speakers and lots of questions from delegates. Over 120 people attended, enjoyed a leisurely lunch and met up with old friends. Lots of first time attendees were made welcome. Presentations from 4 key health professionals leading the way in planning services in our region and a busy one hour question and answer session made this important event successful.

Four leading health professionals from across the region gave an overview of health services now in the planning stages to begin to address the needs of ME.

Dr Gavin Spickett, Consultant Immunologist is the lead clinician for the Clinical Network Co-ordinating Centre (based in Newcastle) and also the lead clinician for the North of Tyne Local Multi-Disciplinary Team (covering Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland).

Dr Keith Linsley, Consultant Psychiatrist is the lead clinician for the County Durham and Darlington Local Multi-Disciplinary Team.

Professor Terry Daymond, Consultant Rheumatologist is lead clinician for the South of Tyne bid (covering South Tyneside, Sunderland & Gateshead) for a Local Multi-Disciplinary Team.

Dr Nigel Speight, Consultant Paediatrician in Durham, who we expect to take the regional lead for child and adolescent services.

All speakers were extremely supportive and welcomed the opportunity to finally provide specific services to people with ME. The outlines of what they may be are produced in our Annual Report. Full details of the conference, the presentations and question and answer session will be available on video and on our website in the next few weeks.

The conference was held in two parts – in the first session each speaker gave an overview of what they hope to see, how the centre and the clinics will work and who would be involved. Some overheads were used and we can make these available to you if you are interested. The second session was a busy hour responding to the many questions raised by delegates. The panel gave open and honest answers and made the point that services would have to fit the resources available, that we are not talking of huge amounts of money, but finding the right people to work to help people with ME was the highest priority. All acknowledged the need to work closely with patients and their representatives.

The Steering Groups for the Centre and the Local Teams for North of Tyne & County Durham will be meeting in the next two weeks, messages from today will be fed into the planning and shaping of services. October 2004 is scheduled for a start, and regular monitoring and evaluation involving patients and representatives will be undertaken, findings will be acted upon and any necessary changes will be implemented. We await the outcome of the 2 bids for South of Tyne & Cleveland, if successful services will be implemented in April 2005.