21 December 2011
A summary of recent M.E. related stories in the news. Headlines appearing in the media as dated.
M.E. research fund for Newcastle University
The Medical Research Council has awarded £900,000 to scientists at Newcastle University to study M.E./CFS. Prof Julia Newton, who along with Dr Wang Ng will lead the three-year research projects, said, ““Chronic fatigue syndrome is a very real illness that can destroy the lives of those who have it. It is essential that research is done into the condition and I very much believe that within five years we will be at a stage where we will be beginning clinical trials of new treatments for the illness.”
Newcastle Evening Chronicle, p 17
21/12/11
As above
BBC Radio Newcastle, Breakfast, 7.02am
21/12/11
As above
Northern Echo, p 13
21/12/11
As above
Newcastle Journal, p 17
21/12/11
Benefits and M.E. discussed on BBC Radio 4
Anita Anand investigates the benefits assessment system, following four people through the assessment process and learning how their medical conditions affect them and the jobs they could do. Katherine Lass, who has M.E. and fibromyalgia, says, "I can do things in short bursts. But the way the fibromyalgia and M.E. affect me means that I can't do things repeatedly over a long period. Most jobs involve an eight-hour shift and I can't do that. I just get too tired."
BBC Radio 4, Can you touch your toes?, 8pm
20/12/11
Dr Myhill’s career damaged by allegation, hearing told
The reputation and career of Dr Sarah Myhill, who specialises in treating M.E., were seriously damaged by allegations on the Bad Science online forum, a hearing has been told. Stuart Jones described her as a "deluded, pill-peddling quack." Mr Jones’s comments, together with a complaint he made to the General Medical Council, caused an investigation that resulted in Dr Myhill being suspended. Giving evidence, Mr Jones said he deeply regretted any offence caused by his comments. The hearing continues.
The Daily Telegraph, p 6
21/12/11
Lucy ill with M.E. after cervical cancer vaccine
Steve Hinks’s daughter Lucy, 13, became ill with M.E. after a third dose of the HPV cervical cancer vaccine in May and now spends 23 hours a day asleep. Mr Hinks has criticised his local health authority for telling parents there is no evidence that the injections can be dangerous.
The Daily Telegraph, p 8
21/12/11
Fundraising for Association of Young People with M.E.
Dru Baker, 12, has had M.E. since he was six. The illness has disrupted his education and isolated him from his friends. Dru switched on the Christmas lights at Milton Keynes Theatre District Christmas lights earlier this month, an event that raised more than £800 for the Association of Young People with M.E.
Buckinghamshire Life, p 33
01/01/12
1 in 100 pupils misses school due to M.E.
A study published in the online journal BMJ Open has found that one in 100 secondary school pupils could be missing classes because of CFS/M.E. Dr Esther Crawley, University of Bristol, said, “This project suggests that undiagnosed CFS/M.E. may be an important and under-appreciated cause of school absence in children aged 11-16 years.”
Linlithgow Gazette, online
20/12/11
This article also appears online in the Hebden Bridge Times, Littlehampton Gazette, Whitby Gazette and Workshop Guardian.
Sussex & Kent ME/CFS Society discuss research
Members of the Sussex & Kent ME/CFS Society took part in the Sarah Gorrell afternoon programme on BBC Radio Sussex and Surrey on Tuesday December 20th. The coverage centered on the 1 in 100 school children research publication.
BBC Radio Sussex and Surrey, Sarah Gorrell, online
20/12/11
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