In the last few years the recognition of CFS/ME as a chronic illness has increased, and led to the allocation of governmental funds for the development of key services across England. One of the main conclusions of the Chief Medical Officer’s (CMO) 2002 report was the importance of early diagnosis, follow up and appropriate management by a multidisciplinary team offering services locally. This report also identified potentially beneficial therapeutic strategies including graded exercise/activity, cognitive behavioural therapy and pacing, and the need for further research in this area. A further key element pinpointed in the study, was the role of carers and patients in helping to steer service development.
Responding to the recommendations in this report and others, as well as calls by patients, carers and clinicians for the need for better services for those affected by CFS/ME, in the spring of 2003 the government announced that £8.5 million had been earmarked for the development of clinical services during 2004 and 2005, with ongoing funding to be picked up by Primary Care Trusts (PCTs).
These clinical networks embrace existing services, and create local services where none have previously existed. Local multidisciplinary teams (LMDTs) provide services within primary and secondary care and are linked to a nearby centre of expertise known as a Clinical Network Co-ordinating Centre (CNCC). St. Bartholomew’s Hospital has been established as a CNCC for the area of northeast and north central London, Essex, Hertfordshire and Sussex. As a CNCC, Barts works to champion the development of local services, offers training and advice to LMDT staff and provides tertiary care for patients requiring specialist advice. It also provides secondary services for patients in the northeast and north-central London area at the Barts CFS Service.
