4 January 2012
A summary of recent M.E. related stories in the news. Headlines appearing in the media as dated.
CAS help to win 69% of ESA appeals
Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) has found that 69% of people they represented at Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) tribunals have won their appeals. Susan McPhee, Head of Policy, CAS, said: “If the Government want to cut down on fraud and help people into work, we support that. But with this system, they are targeting many people who are genuinely sick and unable to work. They are removing their income and plunging them into poverty.”
Daily Record, online
01/01/12
Science officially retracts XRMV study
The journal Science has retracted the 2009 paper that claimed to find a link between XRMV and M.E./CFS. In a statement, the journal said it had “lost confidence in the report and the validity” of a link between the mouse virus called and the illness.
Virology, online
01/01/12
As above
Lancashire Telegraph, p 11
30/12/11
M.E. is a soul-destroying illness
In letters to the editor, two readers respond to a letter { M.E. study looks at cognitive problems, 20 Dec} from Keith Dewison, who said he did not believe M.E. existed. Sue Waddle, M.E. Research UK, points out that the Chief Medical Officer’s report of 2002 recognised M.E. as a serious chronic condition, while Barbara Hart, whose son was diagnosed aged 11, says it is a soul-destroying illness.
Teeside Evening Gazette, p 20
23/12/11
Auction raises £261 for Action for M.E.
An original Downton Abbey script has raised £261 for Action for M.E. by eBay auction. Author Lord Julian Fellowes donated the script to Helen Buckenham who, along with her family, has raised £24,000 for the charity. Helen has had M.E. for 20 years.
Eastern Daily Press, p 51 and online
03/01/12
Sir Peter welcomes NUJ statement
In a letter to the editor, Sir Peter Spencer, Action for M.E. welcomes the statement issued by the National Union of Journalists’ Disabled Members Council which urges journalists to “support and sustain fair and balanced reporting of matters relating to disabled people.” This follows publication of a select committee report earlier in the year that said coverage of welfare benefits claimants is “often irresponsible and inaccurate.”
Western Morning News, p 12
30/12/11
New support group planned for Dudley
Polly Bowen and Vivien de Vere, who have M.E., plan to set up a support group for the illness in Dudley. For more information, call Polly on 01384 274079 or email Vivien.
Dudley Chronicle, p 18
29/12/11
As above
Halesowen Chronicle, p 8
29/12/11
As above
Stourbridge Chronicle, p 8
29/12/11
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.”
Halifax Courier, online
02/01/12
This article also appears online in the Hartlepool Mail and Stornoway Gazette.
Charity park walk
Tyler Young, 11, has raised £110 for the Young ME Sufferers’ Trust and the ME Association by completing a walk around Richmond Park. Tyler was inspired by his neighbour Jamie Young, 22, who is housebound with the condition.
Richmond & Twickenham Times, p 9
30/12/11
My M.E. diary 2012
In a letter to the editor, Dr John Greensmith, M.E. Community Trust, invites readers with M.E. to “keep a diary in a uniform way, to attempt to better understand the cause, onset, progression and possible outcomes, using the benefit of a much bigger population for statistical analysis and mutual support. Safety and confidentiality is ensured by each diarist assuming an alias and saving data to their own computer.” They are invited to send an email from their assumed name with "My M.E. diary 2012 trial" in the subject line.
Scarborough Evening News, p 13
03/01/12
As above
Northants Evening Telegraph, p 9
28/12/11
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.
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