HNY Policy and Pathway Repository - North Yorkshire
Referral to specialist chronic fatigue services
For the treatment of
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)
Commissioning position
The recommendation is for this policy to retire.
NICE guidance states that referral should be made to a specialist CFS service if the diagnostic criteria are met, symptoms have persisted for at least 3 months and are not explained by another condition. Any other details would be most appropriately addressed by a clinical pathway (if required) rather than an intervention policy.
Summary of rationale
Reflecting the common theme across the evidence about a lack of knowledge of ME/CFS and evidence that non-specialists in ME/CFS are not confident about diagnosing and managing ME/CFS, the NICE (National Institue of Clinical Excellence) committee recommended referring people with ME/CFS to an ME/CFS specialist team at 3 months to confirm their diagnosis and develop a care and support plan. agreed that the key to managing ME/CFS symptoms successfully is having a collaborative personalised care and support plan. This should be developed based on a holistic assessment as soon as the person's diagnosis is confirmed.
Associated Pathways
Specialties
Places covered by
- east-riding
- hull
- north-east-lincolnshire
- north-lincolnshire
- north-yorkshire
- vale-of-york