The event is primarily for health care professionals from the National Network for CFS/M.E. Therapists, Clinical Network Champions and Coordinators.
Speakers will include Professor Stephen Holgate, MRC Research Professor of Immunopharmacology, Southampton University, Professor Christine Heim, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Professor Mansel Aylward, Director of Unum Centre for Psychosocial and Disability Research (CPDR), University of Cardiff, Dr Esther Crawley, RNHRD Paediatric CFS/ME Service, Bath, Dr Jeremy Hobart, Peninsula Medical School Neurologist and Dr Mary Welford, Compassionate Mind Foundation.
Sir Peter Spencer, CEO, Action for M.E., says:
'The conference offers M.E./CFS service providers from across England the opportunity to exchange views on what they have learnt about best practice in treating people with M.E.
'We do not support all of the views that will be expressed but we do encourage debate and constructive discussion by all parties and specialisations.
'I am particularly pleased that Professor Stephen Holgate will be a speaker. He is chairing the newly-formed research collaborative on M.E. on behalf of the Medical Research Council so he is ideally placed to talk about setting a new research agenda for CFS/M.E.'
Action for M.E. will use the conference as an opportunity to demonstrate a web-based directory of health, welfare and other services for people with M.E., which has been developed by the M.E. Research Observatory. The online database, which is currently being tested, includes searchable information about a wide range of service providers - specialist NHS services, public and private organisations, support groups and charities offering services to people with M.E. across England.
'The conference will once more allow Action for M.E. to monitor developments and to represent the views and experiences of our members on the basis of previous surveys and members' recent correspondence,' says Sir Peter. 'We will also be able to increase our understanding of the financial sustainability of specialist services in different parts of England.'
Action for M.E. acts as a critical partner to the NHS. While it supports specialist NHS multi-disciplinary services, the charity has expressed concerns about over-emphasis on cognitive behaviour therapy and, in particular, graded exercise therapy, in the NICE guidelines. The charity supports the APPG's call for a comprehensive independent inquiry into NHS treatment of M.E. patients and is working with the APPG to find the resources needed to achieve this.
