More than a third of PCTs in England fail to commission specialist services for ME or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients, or cannot confirm that they do, according to charity Action for ME. It adds its research shows provision in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is 'far worse'.
Action for ME's damning report, Ignorance, injustice and neglect, based on Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to PCTs in England, health boards in Scotland and Wales and health and social care boards in Northern Ireland, found less than a quarter of PCTs commission specialist care in the home for ME patients too disabled to travel.
Only 10 per cent of PCTs could provide information on the numbers of children with ME, treated in their patient population.
Action for ME chief executive, Peter Spencer said: 'These figures are a disgraceful indictment of institutionalised discrimination and neglect. Health services are not even beginning to address the needs of this vulnerable patient group properly.'