AQW 4802/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 17/10/2022
Answered On Date: 20/10/2022
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, pursuant to AQW 4905/17-22, for an update on the installation of a Clinical Lead for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis after the recruitment for this post was paused in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Answer:

A key constraint in the establishment a consultant-led Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) service is that there is no specific training programme within the medical colleges for this. In this context, and despite several recruitment competitions, it has not been possible to identify a suitable candidate.

My officials are continuing to engage with the Patient and Client Council and service user representatives on ME/CFS services. While a number of offers have been rejected by service user representatives, my officials will continue to explore other options to provide a medically-led service.