Services for ME/CFS in North Wales
Betsi Caldwaladr University Health Board has launched an expanded service for people with ME/CFS:
‘The new Living Well Service provides access to a wide range of health professionals and support, whilst also maintaining dedicated support for people with ME/ CFS. This service is an expansion of the long COVID service, through Welsh Government funding.”
“The new service now provides:
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- Assessment
- Diagnosis
- A range of treatment and support
- Support to develop a personalised care and support plan”
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BCUHB’s view of ME/CFS?
ME/CFS is a neurological and complex condition affecting multiple systems in the body. Diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS list a range of symptoms including cognitive impairments, orthostatic intolerance, pain, fatigue, difficulty sleeping and more.
The hallmark characteristic of the illness is post-exertional malaise (PEM), which is an abnormal response to physical, cognitive, social and/or emotional exertion leading to additional symptoms or an exacerbation of ongoing symptoms.
80% of ME/CFS occurs after an infection including COVID-19. (from Living Well website)
The Health Board tell WAMES more about the service:
Who?
All adults of any severity can apply for support
Referral?
You can be referred by a GP, Allied Health Care Professional, Hospital Consultant or Social worker BUT you can can also refer yourself .
Self-referral form: English or Call 03000 840007 or email
Time limit?
No. Access for as long as you need and self refer back in if desired
Who staffs the Living Well Service?
GP
Physiotherapists
Occupational therapists
Dietitians
Clinical or counselling psychologists
Advanced Clinical Practitioners
Speech and Language Therapist
Who runs the 2 ME/CFS Services (East and West)?
Consultant Clinical Psychologists
What happens once my application is accepted?
You will meet with someone, usually virtually or by phone, or at home if you are severely affected, to assess your diagnosis and support needs. You will be given the opportunity to join the 8 week ME/CFS course where you can learn and share with others with ME/CFS.
You may also wish to join some of the general courses or consult professionals about a range of issues such as mobility, aids, employment, diet, specific symptoms etc. There may also be a need to refer you for further investigations, especially if you have multiple conditions or a symptom is particularly troublesome. Help will be given to devise a management or care plan.
What will the care and support plan cover?
The range of support outlined in the NICE ME/CFS guideline NG206 (1.10)
Which symptom & lifestyle monitoring tools are used?
DePaul Symptom Questionnaire (DSQ)
EQ5D5L – Health Related Quality of Life Assessment – Questionnaire
Which energy management tools are supported?
Activity logs and worksheets
Symptom diaries
More information
Read the announcement
WAMES is delighted that the ME/CFS service in north Wales aims to offer all adults with ME/CFS a service that is shaped by the ME/CFS NICE guideline (2021).
The development of the service will be an ongoing process, so please contact us with your experiences of the service, so we can get a good picture of its strengths, weaknesses and gaps and we will then feed back to the Health Board with constructive comments. jan@wames.org.uk
