Professor Nancy Rothwell from the School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester and a member of the Medical Research Council has been appointed as chair of a scientific group to advise the MRC on developing a broad strategy on research for CFS/ME. There are nine scientific experts, two lay representatives* (an important component), and an observer from the Department of Health. The groups remit will include assessing current national and international knowledge and gaps. Consultation will take place over the coming months and will seek input from patients, former patients, carers, charities, researchers and clinicians.

The scientific group’s range of expertise is broad, and after pressure from some ME support groups will now include a neurological expert.

The terms of reference are;

• To consider the Report of the CMO’s working party on CFS/ME, including its recommendations for research
• To consider other recent reviews of current knowledge and understanding of CFS/ME
• To take account of patient and lay perspective
• To recommend to MRC a research strategy to advance understanding of the aetiology, epidemiology and biology of CFS/ME and
• In the light of current knowledge suggest what areas of further research are needed with regard to possible treatments

The final report will be made available early in 2003.