• Establishing centres of expertise across the country to champion the development of services and improve clinical care
• Setting up satellite multidisciplinary community teams to develop services within primary care to support GP’s and other professionals
• Supporting clinical research
• Provide education and training of health care professionals

Speaking at a Chronic Fatigue Unit in Essex, Jacqui Smith stated;

“This is an important step in the development of NHS services and means that we can start making improvements in the care and treatment of people with ME. The causes are still not fully understood and this investment will enable the NHS to set up centres of expertise to develop clinical care, support clinical research and expand education and training programmes for health care professionals.”

“We are setting up an implementation group to oversee the service development work. We are very pleased to announce that Professor Anthony Pinching (Associate Dean for Cornwall, Peninsula Medical School and former Deputy Chair of the CFS/ME Working Party Group) will chair this group. This is very good news for people with CFS/ME and their families.”

“As a first step, in July, health organisations will be invited to bid for development funds to set up specialist centres. These new centres will initially support local community teams to provide a broad spectrum of expertise and integrated care packages to people with CFS/ME.”

ME NORTH EAST WELCOMES THE ANNOUNCEMENT AND WILL BE TAKING IMMEDIATE STEPS TO WORK WITH STRATEGIC HEALTH AUTHORITIES AND PRIMARY CARE TRUSTS TO ENSURE THAT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED WITHIN THE NORTH EAST REGION