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David Lepper (Brighton, Pavilion, Labour) |

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment her Department has made of the likely effects of implementation of the draft guidance produced by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on the effective treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome; and what representations she has received on the draft guidance.

Caroline Flint (Minister of State (Public Health), Department of Health)

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently working to produce clinical guidance on chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). It is expected that this guidance will be published in August 2007. It would be inappropriate to make an assessment on the effect of implementation until the guidance is finalised.

The Department frequently receives representations from individuals and groups with an interest in CFS/ME. As the Department is not responsible for the content of the clinical guidance, correspondents mentioning the guidance are made aware of the consultation process organised by NICE.