Recent milestones

2003

Key developments at home and abroad

• The Government announced a cash-injection of £8.5 million to develop new NHS multi-disciplinary CFS/M.E. services in England.
• Publication of the Canadian guideline, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Clinical working case definition, diagnostic and treatment protocols
• Medical Research Council published its research strategy for CFS/M.E. and issued a highlight notice to researchers, identifying CFS/M.E as a current strategic priority.

2006

• Gibson Inquiry Group on Scientific Research into M.E. published its report, calling on the UK to lead the way in encouraging biomedical research.

2007

• National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published its first guidance on CFS/M.E. for the NHS, saying: "The healthcare professional should acknowledge the reality and impact of the condition and the symptoms" and that the physical symptoms "can be as disabling as multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, congestive heart failure and other chronic conditions."

2009

• Scottish Public Health Network published its draft Needs Assessment of Health Services for ME-CFS. The final report was published in 2010, following public consultation.

2010

• All Party Parliamentary Group for M.E. at Westminster published a report making 11 recommendations on improving NHS services for people with M.E. in England.
• Scottish Good Practice Statement published, to provide guidance for Scottish GPs in treating M.E./CFS, pending publication of a SIGN guideline.
• Action for M.E. and AYME published an election manifesto for M.E. to lobby parliamentarians in Westminster. A Scottish manifesto for M.E. followed for Holyrood elections in 2011.