Every one of us has the right to access appropriate care and support for ourselves and our loved ones. If we become ill, we should all have the reassurance of knowing that our GP is able to refer us to appropriate care that supports the best possible outcome.
Some people with ME are able to get good support from their GP who, even if they may not have much experience of working with people with ME, listen, understand and work with them to support symptom management.
However, many people with ME tell us they are not getting the support they need.
Our resources below set out the care you should expect and how to address some of the barriers you may face.
Our Information and Support Service team can also help you break issues down, so they feel less overwhelming, support you to explore priorities and possible next steps, and frame questions to ask the health and social care professionals supporting you.
UK charity The Patients Association (Tel: 0800 345 7115) offers information and guidance to help you access and make sense of the health and social care services you are entitled to.
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) offers confidential advice, support and information on health-related matters for patients in England.
Read more about your patient rights, including making a complaint and the support available to do this in NHS England and NHS Scotland.
In our Learn about ME and social care podcast, social care professional Zoe McIntyre talks with Rhona Barton, who has recovered from severe ME, about the adjustments needed to enable someone with ME to engage with services and create appropriate care plans.
