Speaking in The House of Lords - Monday June 2nd 2008

“This government accept the World Health Organisation (WHO) Classification of CFS/ME as a neurological condition of an unknown cause”

Dr Charles Shepherd of the ME Association (MEA) reported earlier this year that the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) had made a decision to classify Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME in an important training curriculum publication for GP's:"Care of People with Mental Health problems."

A prolonged exchange of correspondence followed, the MEA asking the RCGP to change this decision and referring to the World Health Organisation classification for CFS/ME - section 93:3 of ICD 10 - the neurological disease section.

The Countess of Mar secured time in the House of Lords for questions on ME/CFS and Baroness Howe raised the question about the RCGP classification.

The following is the reply from Lord Darzi of Denham, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department of Health, Speaking in The House of Lords on Monday 2nd June 2008 (Oral Questions)

"The government accept the World Health Organisation (WHO) classification of CFS/ME as a neurological condition of an unknown cause.

Ministerial colleague Ann Keen re-affirmed that position at the All Party Parliamentary Group on ME meeting in January 2008.

The government have made it clear CFS/ME should be classified as a neurological condition. It is a neurological condition rather than a mental condition.

It is for professional bodies to look at the evidence base and I will encourage the Royal College of General Practitioners to look at the WHO classification."

Dr Shepherd received an e-mail reply in July from Ruth Palmer, Director of Professional Development and Standards, the most relevant part being:

"I am pleased to inform you that the Curriculum Development Group and Postgraduate Training Board have now debated the views expressed about the reference to CFS/ME in the Mental Health statement and have agreed to remove the reference from the statement".

Dr Shepherd tells us "This is an important precedent in that it will now be very difficult for anyone in a position of authority to claim that CFS (or ME or CFS) can be classified or officially listed as a mental health disorder."

Although this reference has been removed, the next step is to gain clarity on the designated classification for future publications.

You can view the full correspondence details on the MEA website at:
www.meassociation.org.uk/content/view/570 & 573

On behalf of our members, and everyone with CFS/ME, we would like to express our gratitude to Dr Shepherd and all those involved in influencing this change.