Welsh Government replies to WAMES
WAMES wrote to the Health Minister on 8 February asking why an announcement had been made about services for recent patients with long COVID, but not about services for people who have been living with ME for decades and…
how the Welsh Government will be funding and supporting a better understanding of ME/CFS, PESE/PEM and the dangers of exercise therapy, alongside the wider range of support needed for those with post COVID symptoms. We are looking for a speedy implementation of the 2021 NICE guideline.
#ImplementNICEmecfs
The Health Minister delegated her reply (again)
A civil servant from the ‘Government and Corporate Business Team’ wrote to update us on their work on ME/CFS and to ask us about recent patient experiences within NHS Wales:
During the winter each health board was surveyed in relation to their services for ME/CFS as well as their response to the revised NICE guidance. We have received assurances that
the new NICE guidance is being adopted. If your organisation has any evidence to the contrary we would welcome hearing about this. Within the survey we also queried what support is required to help improve services for all those presenting post viral symptoms and additional funding and training was mentioned.
What is your experience?
Are health professionals implementing the new NICE guideline?
Give us your experiences in any way you wish: email any of the team including jan@wames.org.uk or phone, email, comment on social media or this post.
The Welsh Government has assured us:
We agree there is much to learn from those with other post viral illnesses, including those with ME/CFS and can reassure you that ME/CFS is discussed at the vast majority of meetings considering long covid provision. Clinicians treating those with long Covid have advised of the similarities and there is a desire to ensure all services are suitable for all those living with the conditions.
As well as surveying health boards they are:
appointing a new senior policy lead whose remit will include long Covid, post viral conditions and ME/CFS. They will be tasked with working with stakeholders to deliver equity of outcome for all those needing support and we will ensure your comments are shared with them once they take up post.
Summing up, the Welsh Gov says:
- There is much to learn about Long COVID from other post viral illnesses
- ME/CFS is discussed at the vast majority of meetings considering long COVID provision
- Clinicians have advised of the similarities between long COVID & ME/CFS
- there is a desire in the NHS to ensure all services are suitable for all related conditions
- Welsh Government is in the final stages of appointing a new senior policy lead whose remit will include long COVID, post viral conditions and ME/CFS
- The aim is equity of outcome for all those needing support with post viral conditions
- NHS Wales Health Boards say they are implementing new NICE guideline but need additional funding and training
- Welsh Gov would welcome any evidence that the NICE guideline is not being implemented
- Welsh Gov continues to explore how to expand integrated services for all people
with post-viral illnesses and other long-term conditions, including ME/CFS.
Read WAMES’ email to the Health Minister
Blog post: Wales prioritises healthcare for post-viral condition Long COVID
