{"id":16433,"date":"2018-05-02T21:09:45","date_gmt":"2018-05-02T21:09:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wames.org.uk\/cms-english\/?p=16433"},"modified":"2018-06-25T09:48:24","modified_gmt":"2018-06-25T09:48:24","slug":"timeforunrestwales-the-struggle-to-get-an-accurate-diagnosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wames.org.uk\/cms-english\/timeforunrestwales-the-struggle-to-get-an-accurate-diagnosis\/","title":{"rendered":"#TimeForUnrestWales – the struggle to get an accurate diagnosis"},"content":{"rendered":"

#TimeForUnrestWales<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u00a0a campaign for recognition of ME and health equality<\/span><\/h2>\n

There is a Health and Social Care crisis for people with ME in Wales, starting with the struggle patients have to find an accurate diagnosis from doctors who understand ME.<\/p>\n

The Welsh Government has had a plan to change\u00a0that since 2014\u00a0– the\u00a0Task & Finish Group Report and Recommendations<\/a>\u00a0–\u00a0but\u00a0NHS Wales has failed to\u00a0take them seriously and\u00a0\u00a0little has changed.<\/p>\n

WAMES is therefore asking the Cabinet Secretary\u00a0for Health:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

to provide, as a matter of urgency, support and finance for a national training and awareness programme.<\/p>\n

The Task & Finish Group Report describes the challenges:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

For patients: achieving timely diagnosis for ME\/CFS remains a significant challenge (5.1)\uf0b7<\/strong><\/h3>\n

“Many patients still do not feel that GPs take them seriously and some continue to report experiencing hostility. Patients express concerns that GPs seem to have limited knowledge of their condition… \uf0b7<\/p>\n

\"\"Delayed and\/or multiple referrals are common due to difficulty in identifying the condition and\/or the most appropriate specialist, and diagnosis can sometimes take several years. Such significant delays in providing effective self-management support may result in considerably greater long term support needs.<\/p>\n

Patient groups report that some GPs have a low understanding of the post-exertional nature of the condition, the sheer degree of physical debilitation which it can cause, sub-groups of patients and the range of severity that is seen. There are also difficulties with obtaining home visits where needed and with GPs understanding that, due to cognitive difficulties, patients may need a written summary of discussions.”<\/p>\n

\"\"For GPs (5:1):<\/strong><\/h3>\n

“GPs meanwhile face significant challenges in diagnosis and management because of multiple and complex symptoms and a historic lack of consensus on diagnosis and treatment. This is compounded by the lack of a clear referral pathway and the limited specialist interest in diagnosis or providing treatment once a diagnosis is reached…when they [Health Boards]\u00a0provide training for GPs, sessions tend to be attended by those who already have an interest, without the knowledge spreading further.”<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

For Health Boards (5):<\/strong><\/h3>\n