25 July 2011
A summary of recent M.E. related stories in the news. Headlines appearing in the media as dated.
MPs publish critical report of DWP and Atos
On Tuesday, a select committee will publish a detailed and critical report of the Department for Work and Pensions’ cost-cutting policy and its contract with Atos, the private French company that carries out benefits assessments. The select committee launched an investigation this year after many complaints about the testing process.
Guardian, online
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/jul/24/atos-faces-critical-report-by-mps
25/07/11
M.E. services survey
In a letter to the editor, Action for M.E.’s Sir Peter Spencer asks local people who have used specialist NHS CFS/M.E. services to complete the charity’s survey* by 12 August.
Durham Times, online
http://www.durhamtimes.co.uk/comment/letters/9156445.ME_survey/
23/07/11
*NB. InterAction readers – this survey may be found on pp 13-14 of your summer issue.
As above
The Herald (Plymouth), p 11
22/07/11
As above
Ormskirk Advertiser, p 10
21/07/11
As above
Dorking Advertiser, p 19
21/07/11
Diagnostic criteria and research into M.E.
Three letters to the editor discuss M.E. and its treatment. Patient Caroline Davis says that a small group of powerful psychiatrists suppress the argument that M.E. is biomedical rather than psychiatric, and argues that both sides need to be heard for research to move forward. Alastair M Santhouse, a consultant in psychological medicine, points out that the good intentions of doctors and researchers working in the M.E. field should be acknowledged. Peter White, Alastair Miller and Esther Crawley say that adopting the Canadian Consensus Criteria in the UK “may be reasonable but is probably not practicable.”
British Medical Journal, p 169-170
23/07/11
Disabled people wrongly portrayed as scroungers
The Disability Benefits Consortium, a group that includes charities Scope, Mencap and Mind, warns that the Government's welfare to work policies are inciting hatred and violence towards the disabled by portraying them as benefits cheats and scroungers.
Guardian, online
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/jul/24/welfare-policy-incites-hatred-disabled?commentpage=last#end-of-comments
24/07/11
Cycling 4,000 miles for Action for M.E.
David Collings, whose wife Carole has M.E., has cycled 4,000 miles around Britain’s coastline to raise more than £1,000 for Action for M.E.
Sheffield Telegraph, online
http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/charity_cyclist_s_4_000_mile_coastal_journey_1_3609731
23/07/11
As above
Sheffield Star, p 12 and online
http://www.thestar.co.uk/charity_cyclist_s_4_000_mile_coastal_journey_1_3609731
23/07/11
Hepatitis B vaccine
All children could be vaccinated against hepatitis B to help prevent rising rates of infection. But some campaigners believe there is a link between the jab and M.E.
Daily Mail, p 20 and online
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2017831/Hepatitis-B-jab-set-given-babies-infections-soar.html?ITO=1490
23/07/11
NB. Some articles may only be available online through payment of a subscription. Unfortunately Action for M.E. is prevented by copyright law from reproducing such articles in full or in extract.
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.
