We have just (26th May) been informed by the Specialist Commissioning Manager for Teesside Primary Care Trusts that our proposal for CFS/ME services in this area was not approved. The local delivery planning for 2006/7 has now been agreed and CFS/ME services were not seen as a priority.

This is a great disappointment for all. A lot of effort locally and regionally to present a persuasive business case went into our bid. It means that there remains a gap in services across our region and people with ME living in the Tees area will have difficulty accessing help.

However we will not be complacent and working together with Louise Wilson the Northern Network Coordinator we will continue to meet with health professionals across the area to raise the profile and needs of ME as we begin the process of presenting a second proposal for the 2007/8 local delivery plan.

This is where you can help. We know the PCT’s recognise there is a need for services, we must convince them with evidence of this need. All people with ME have a right to NHS services, and what is available in your area is very limited. However you must be determined and ask for referral to ME services via your GP. If they cannot provide this locally (and we are not aware of any specific services) then you can ask for a referral to one of your neighbouring Multi-Disciplinary Teams. These are based in Leeds, County Durham and Darlington, South of Tyne and the North of Tyne. Your local PCT funding panel on a case-by-case basis will then consider each referral. Your PCT will then have to work with the other services to see if they have “spare capacity” to take on Tees patients.

If the PCT panels are not receiving these requests then they are assuming that there is no demand. We know there are many people with ME out there without health service support. It is only by identifying the demand that funding will be considered.

We can help by providing information to take to your GP, about the illness, about the new services and what they can offer, and with details of the clinical services in the four areas mentioned. Give us a call we will be happy to help you to help ME. Let’s work together to make sure the four Primary Care Trusts across the Tees hear from you. – give us a call on 0191 3892222 or e-mail [email protected]