Clinical Network Update

January 2008

I am pleased to report some interesting new developments that have been progressing across the Northern CFS/ME clinical network.

The local specialist services for CFS/ME continue to deliver services to increasing numbers of newly diagnosed and longer-term CFS/ME patients. The numbers of patients that have been seen either meet or exceed expected targets and feedback from service users continues to follow a positive trend.

Training and communications with colleagues across the NHS is a top work stream priority for the network. Planning for a conference for NHS clinicians and staff is well underway with an event scheduled for March 2008. We already have a third of places filled, suggesting a renewed interest in CFS/ME diagnosis and management, perhaps following the publication of the guidance for CFS/ME by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (see www.nice.org.uk).

The network has also been able to offer a research bursary for a second time to support research, audit and evaluation. Applications for the fund from across the region and from different academic and healthcare teams are currently being received for review by an expert panel before Christmas. As well as supporting the delivery of best quality evidence-based practice through the local specialist CFS/ME services, it’s great that the network is able to support research, audit and evaluation to push back the frontiers of understanding around CFS/ME.

Please continue to send your thoughts, comments and feedback via Jennifer, Philip and the ME North East team.

Louise Wilson, CFS/ME clinical network programme manager