9 March 2011
A summary of recent M.E. related stories in the news. Headlines appearing in the media as dated.
MPs hear ESA concerns in Burnley
Residents and charity representatives at a meeting with MPs in Burnley on Monday expressed serious concerns about the medical tests being carried out for ESA. One woman with M.E. said that was struggling to cope on the lower rate benefit of £65 per week, but must wait until June for her tribunal hearing.
Guardian, online
http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/2011/mar/07/work-capability-assessment-criticism
08/03/11
Difficult to define
The difficulty of case definition in CFS can cause problems when it comes to research into its causes and effects.
International Herald Tribune, p 14
09/03/11
Science must find a cure
In a letter to the editor, Action for M.E.’s Sir Peter Spencer says that people affected by M.E. won’t be surprised to read that the PACE Trial, published in The Lancet, has found current treatments to be, at best, only moderately effective. NICE must bear in mind that the specialist expertise and safeguards which apply to controlled research do not apply across the NHS as a whole. The Medical Research Council must spend the £1.5 million earmarked for research on M.E. on finding the cause of the illness.
Swindon Advertiser, p 13
04/03/11
As above
Forres Gazette, p 13
02/03/11
Why was research duplicated?
In a letter to the editor, Ken Hull and Horace Reid of the NI M.E. Assocation ask why £5 million was spent on the PACE trial when it simply duplicated American research done 10 years before.
Andersonstown News, p 24
05/03/11
PACE trial spending
In a letter to the editor, Derek Peters of Northern Ireland Campaign for M.E./CFS Healthcare expresses concern that £5 million and six years have been spent on the PACE trial.
Impartial Reporter, p 37
03/03/11
Bexhill on Sea meeting
People with M.E or CFS are invited to a get together at Alfredo and Sue Silva’s café, Western Road from 10am to 11am on Thursday 10 March. For more information contact Carole on 01424 892460.
Bexhill on Sea Observer, p 17
04/03/11
New home for Suffolk group
Suffolk support group But You Don’t Look Ill will now meet every second Thursday of the month at Stevenson Centre, Great Cornard. For more information call 07950 436584.
Suffolk Free Press, p 47
03/03/11
Online M.E. forum
The M.E. Moray Support Group has establised a community forum for people with the illness here.
Northern Scot, p 18
04/03/11
Chocolate study
Chocolate may help alleviate symptoms of fatigue, a study published in Nutrition Journal has found.
Student BMJ, p 46
01/03/11
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The information contained within each press summary is provided for your personal information only. It does not necessarily reflect the views of Action for M.E.
