12 October 2010
Coalition Government recognises M.E. as a neurological condition
On Monday 11 October Baroness Gardner of Parkes initiated a short debate in the House of Lords. She asked Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the role of allied health professionals in maintaining the health and social well-being of people with long-term neurological conditions.
Action for M.E. and other charities submitted some briefing material to the Countess of Mar who took part in the debate.
Lady Mar asked whether the Coalition continues to accept that myalgic encephalomyelitis is a neurological illness as categorised by ICD10 G93.3.
Junior Health Minister Lord Howe replied that the Government accepts that CFS/M.E. is a neurological condition.
Lady Mar also highlighted the shortcomings in NHS provision for patients with M.E. and emphasised the need for allied health professionals who treat M.E. patients to be properly trained in the condition.
Read the full transcript of the debate in Hansard, column 379 (following welfare reform debate). The Countess's comments start in column 384. Lord Howe responds in column 396.
