In January, Kay Gilderdale - who had admitted to assisting a suicide - was cleared of attempting to murder daughter Lynn, who had had severe M.E. for many years. Lynn had taken her own life, with her mother's help, in December 2008.
Action for M.E.’s election manifesto was launched following wide consultation with people with M.E. It outlined key facts and expectations of Government in the areas of health, welfare, research, education, employment, social care and policies relating to carers. 14,000 copies were distributed across the UK. Members used the manifesto to lobby their local MPs and parliamentary candidates, to pledge their support.
A Coalition Conservative/Lib Dem Government was formed, which introduced extensive spending cuts and welfare reform, prompting a series of Action for M.E. campaigns.
The charity was awarded funding to launch a Scottish Hub for M.E. in March and in April Dr Alastair Miller replaced Professor Anthony Pinching as our Principal Medical Adviser.
NHS Scotland published the Scottish Good Practice Statement on M.E.-CFS in September, shortly before the Scottish Public Health Network published its Needs Assessment of Services for people with M.E-CFS. Action for M.E. was involved in both initiatives.
The charity held a conference - 'Work, welfare benefits and M.E - is anyone listening?', in London. The event provided an opportunity for people with M.E. to present their experience of welfare benefits to a representative of the Department for Work and Pensions and to disseminate the findings of the National M.E. Observatory.
In October Action for M.E. held its open annual general meeting in London. Our Telephone Support Line opening hours were extended from 10 hours a week to 20.
With austerity measures in full swing, Government announced plans to replace Disability Living Allowance with Personal Independence Payment.
Throughout 2010 Chief Executive, Sir Peter Spencer, met Ministers and key government figures including Paul Burstow (Minister for Care Services), Professor Malcom Harrington (who led the independent review of the Work Capability Assessment) and Chris Grayling (Minister for Employment) to raise the concerns of people with M.E.
The charity launched itself on Twitter and work began in earnest on this, our new website.
