ME Support Home Join What Is ME? Future Meetings Our Leaflets Our Yoga Classes Research & Past Newsletter Articles Service Provision Latest Children and Young People Helpful Contacts Internet Links Blue Badge Info Chat Contact Us Amazon.co.uk

Here you can see the latest goings-on regarding the ME services. This will be updated whenever there's more news. Latest News: There is a paediatritan who takes referrals from out of area. The PCT can buy in her services if they have no existing children's service. Dr Esther Crawley Specialist CFS/ME Services for children and adolescents Royal National Hospital for rheumatoid disease Upper Borough Walls Bath BA1 1RL 01225 473 425 We now have an in-patient bed for Bolton! The Ashton, Wigan and Leigh Clinic is now seeing patients! When you get referred by your GP, you will get an appointment at Leigh hospital to see Dr Gaber. They are currently looking for permanent premises to see patients. If you would like to self refer, please call Donna (admin lady) on 01942 264 321. She will contact your GP and tell them about the service and all the necessary blood tests needed before you can be seen. The have an Occupational Therapist and Physio. Download the Clinic Leaflet here and  here THE NUMBER TO CONTACT THE ME CLINIC VIA LEVER CHAMBERS HAS CHANGED TO: 01204 462 765    Referrals to the new ME Clinics-for Bolton and Bury residents, please ask for a referral to: CFS/ME Clinic C/O Dr Andrew Wright Neurological Rehabilitation Team Lever Chambers Ashburner St Bolton All correspondence will be from Lever Chambers, but you will go to the appointment at Breightmet Health Centre if in Bolton or the Prestwich Walk-In Centre if you live in Bury. We've been advised that people who have their own clinic, e.g Bolton and Bury, shouldn't ask for referrals to North Manchester anymore, they are very overwhelmed apparently, and why travel all that way when we have our own clinics in Bolton and Bury? The North Manchester Clinic is primarily for people in areas that don't have a clinic. Doctors SHOULD BE AWARE of the new clinics! The PCT has sent each GP/surgery 3 or 4 letters and emails, so they have no excuse! We're trying to get a poster published to put in the surgery for patients and docs should know the details. We're also hoping to have an open day with all the people involved in obtaining the service provision. I'll keep you updated. Stress Management Course: There is a new stress management course for ME/CFS. It is designed to help you learn more effective ways to manage any symptoms associated with stress and anxiety, increase confidence and develop and greater sense of control. Topics include: Information about the role, causes and effects of stress the role of the autonomic nervous system in stress techniques to manage stress (relaxation, activity management, and management of unhelpful thoughts sleep management how to manage set back You can also learn from other peoples experiences and gain support from them. The course is for people who feel their stress is affecting their daily management and recovery. The course is 10 weeks, sessions are 2 hrs and includes a break and relaxation session. Carers and partners are welcome to attend the first session. If you would like a referral., please speak to the CFS/ME Clinic. For more info on the course, speak to Gill Walsh on 0161 219 9420. www.manchestercfsme.nhs.uk Helpline: 0845 123 2390 Severe Presentation of CFS/ME Do you have a diagnosis of CFS/ME? Do you live in the GM area? Are you housebound because of your CFS/ME? Do you need management support and advice for your CFS/ME? The Clinical Network Co-Ordinating Centre for CFS/ME is able to offer management support and advice for people with CFS/ME who are housebound or bedridden. Following agreement with your GP and PCT, we can offer: An initial assessment from out CFS/ME Nurse Specialist and Clinical Psychologist. 5 Home visits and 5 telephone appointments (as appropriate) We also liaise with your GP to identify a named health professional who will provide ongoing support one we have completed out visits. We can provide support and training on CFS/ME for any health professionals involved in your care as needed. Please contact Gill Walsh for further info: gillian.walsh@nhs.net Phone: 0161 219 9420 CFS/ME Service How can we improve the self-management groups? What worked? What could have been better? What would you change? You help us change the service by: Contacting Gill Walsh Attending CFS/ME Forum Contacting your Patient and Public Involvement Forum (PPI). Bolton: 01204 394603 Bury: 0161 214 3901 The team are planning a forum meeting in December to discuss these ideas-please contact Gill if you would like to attend. email gillian.walsh@nhs.net There is no set date yet. ************************************************************************************************************** The Clinics are now officially up and running! One member who has had ME for 25 years says she felt like "a new woman" and "lifted" when she left! She said she had never felt so positive! So please get a referral, if we can show there's demand for the service, they will keep it going, if not, they will close the clinics and we will be back where we started. Ask for the CFS/ME Clinic, Dr Anderw Wright, c/o Neuro Rehab Team Greater Manchester CFS/ME Network: GO TO WEBSITE Please note that Dr Wright cannot prescribe private treatment, such as Samento or anti-biotics, as it is not an NHS approved treatment, he can only diagnose and offer symptom control. Dr Wright has been appointed lead physician. He will be supported by a neuro-rehab team including physio's, occupational health, lifestyle management and others. As many of you already know, the government has pledged £8.5 million for new services to be set up by the NHS for ME sufferers. The counsellor will provide specialist assessment in relation to anxiety levels, sleep disturbance and cognitive function. A programme of therapy will be delivered, according to the need.