Invite your MP to the next meeting of the APPG on M.E.
June 01, 2023
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the APPG on M.E. took place on Wednesday, May 10. Presentations were given by Sonya Chowdhury, the CEO of Action for M.E., on the implementation of the 2021 NICE Guideline and by Prof David Strain and the 25% M.E. Group on Severe M.E.
Contact your MP
The next meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on M.E. is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 14 June 2023 at 4pm. Livestreaming of the meeting is currently being explored.
We would be very grateful if you could encourage your MP to attend. The more MPs at these meetings the better the chance of raising awareness of key issues and lobbying for positive change. You might:
- share social media announcements.
- personalise and send the email below.
You can locate your MPs contact details on the UK Parliament website.
Template Letter
Dear [YOUR MPS NAME]
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis)
I am writing to invite you to the next meeting of the APPG on M.E. which will take place on Wednesday, 14 June 2023 at 4pm. As one of your constituents, I am hoping you can attend on my behalf.
M.E. affects more than 250,000 people in the UK, which means around 400 young people and adults in your constituency. It is indiscriminate and can dramatically impact the lives of people from all ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds.
M.E. is recognised as a long-term, fluctuating, neurological condition. It affects the body in different ways and leads to functional limitations that mean people are unable to initiate or complete normal activities. It most often develops after an infection and most people are unable to fully recover.
The physical symptoms of M.E. can be as disabling as multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and congestive heart failure. People with M.E. experience a lower quality of life than most other long-term conditions.
Long COVID is another post-infectious syndrome that has clinical and pathological overlaps with M.E. As many as 1 million people could have a diagnosis of long COVID and research is suggesting up to 50 per cent of those with this condition could meet the diagnostic criteria for M.E.
[Include some additional information that reflects your personal experience as someone with M.E. living in this constituency]
More information
- The APPG on M.E. is chaired by Carol Monaghan, MP, and you can contact her office to obtain further details about the next meeting: carol.monaghan.mp@parliament.uk.
- You might like to download a copy of the APPG on M.E.’s 2022 report: Rethinking M.E. This report contributed to the decision by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) working on a Delivery Plan to prioritise health, social care, and research in M.E. We hope the draft plan will be available soon for stakeholder comment.
- The 2021 NICE Guideline on ME/CFS contains evidence-based recommendations to the NHS and social care services. It is the result of 3 years work and is endorsed by Action for M.E. and The ME Association. Both charities are working with the DHSC, NHS, and social care services to see the Guideline implemented across the UK and improved and new healthcare services commissioned.
Kind regards
[ADD YOUR NAME and POSTAL ADDRESS]
