The Sussex ME /CFS Society that looks after many of the 6,000 people affected by the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – ME across Sussex has produced a new information sheet about the illness for those that think they may have it.

The basic information sheet covers Symptoms and Diagnosis, Cause along with Prevalence, Treatment and Prognosis and avoids using any of the names that have previously been given to the illness as the Society feels that none of them is very satisfactory. The society mostly uses the compromise term ME/CFS that both the Chief Medical Officer’s report did in 2002 and recently the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) have in their guidelines. “The most important thing is that the illness is fully recognised and those that have it are treated seriously and given the best of treatments available as they choose.” Says chairman Colin Barton.

“We are fortunate in Sussex as most doctors recognise ME as a serious illness and do their best to treat and support their patients. There is also a specialist NHS service for ME operational in Sussex that has dealt with nearly 1,700 referrals since it was set up in 2005. A very good service for youngsters with the illness at Brighton’s Royal Alexandra Hospital led by a specialist paediatrician is also keeping busy.”

Copies of the information sheet written by leading expert Prof Anthony Pinching are available free of charge by contacting 01273 674828.