Ian Swales, Liberal Democrat MP for Redcar, put forward the following written question in Parliament:
“To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Minister of State's contribution on 4 February 2011, Official Report, column 327WH, on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, what recent representations his Department has received on the definition of CFS/M.E.“
Paul Burstow has now responded, saying: “The Department has received, and continues to receive, a large volume of correspondence from stakeholders, and those living with this condition, on the definition and naming of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/M.E.).
“During the Westminster Hall debate, on 4 February 2011, I said that the World Health Organisation uses the composite term CFS/M.E. for this condition. This was incorrect.
“The World Health Organisation classes benign myalgic encephalomyelitis and post viral fatigue syndrome under the same classification G93.3 'diseases of the nervous system'; subheading 'other disorders of the brain'.
“The report of the CFS/M.E. Working Group to-the Chief Medical Officer, in January in 2002, suggested that the composite term CFS/M.E. be used as an umbrella term for this condition, or spectrum of disease. This term is also used by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence for their clinical guidelines.
“We do, however, intend to seek further advice on our classification and will update the hon. Member in due course.”
