Clinical Network Update

August 2007

The board of the Clinical Network is made up of the Clinical Champion Dr Gavin Spickett, Coordinator Louise Wilson, and representatives from each of the 4 Local Multi-Disciplinary Teams. Representation from the Tees area is invited. Jennifer Elliott is Chair of the Network, and Philip Burns, our own Chairman, is the regional patient representative.

Meetings are held 3 times per year at different venues across the region. An annual strategic review is also held to bring the teams together, to share experiences and challenges, and to prepare an outline of the way forward.

The 3rd Strategic Review was held in early July, and below are some of the key points ME North East would like to highlight:

• Each team is seeing 5-10 referrals per month. Waiting time is approximately 2-3 months. In total around 500 patients have been seen to date.
• There is a mix of individual and group treatment – the main aim is to help people to manage their illness
• Most teams have in place opportunities for follow-up and review.
• Evaluation is beginning and the general feel is that the service is helpful. More detailed audits are due to start in January 2008.
• The last 12 months have not been without problems. Greatest difficulty is recruiting a medical advisor (South of Tyne and North Cumbria). Dr Spickett is arranging cover with his consultant colleagues in the interim. Other issues continue around team therapist posts, accommodation and securing long term funding for services.

Future Plans include;

• Development of paediatric services across the region starting with a task to review the level of need including training to deliver services.
• Improved awareness and information on CFS/ME, and knowledge of the services available is required. A series of public awareness days is to be planned.

Clinical Champion Dr Gavin Spickett is fully supportive of the Tees area providing local CFS/ME services and has communicated this to the Tees Commissioners.

It is clear from all involved in this review, there is a great deal of skill, enthusiasm and determination to work in this field, and continue to develop and improve services.

We have continuously asked those who have been referred to give us feedback, to date we haven’t heard from enough to make any judgement. If you have been seen by the CFS/ME team in your area – we would like to hear of your experiences.

We have a short questionnaire you could complete that would help us (click here)