During the summer, Worcestershire ME Social Group Afternoon Teas continue.  Also, the Social Group regularly has group lunches at locations throughout the county.

For an afternoon cuppa and chat - join us between 2.30 pm and 4.00 pm at David’s Nurseries, Worcester, on Thursday 8 June; 
Webbs of Wychbold, Droitwich on Thursday 13 July;  and
St Peters Garden Centre, Norton, Worcester on Thursday, 10 August.

Join us for lunch, or a cuppa and a chat, from 12.30 pm, at Rowberry’s Garden Centre, Lower Chaddesley Corbett on 22 June;  and Barnett Hill Garden Centre on 25 July.  Further dates and full details of venues on our website.

All people affected by M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis), CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), PVFS (Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome), and FMS (Fibromyalgia Syndrome), will be welcomed at these get togethers. 

This Social Group’s website also gives news, blogs and useful links.

Whole independent re-analysis of the PACE Trial recovery paper -
Now available outside of paywall.

“Can patients with chronic fatigue syndrome really recover after graded exercise or cognitive behavioural therapy?  A critical commentary and preliminary re-analysis of the PACE trial” 

Conclusion - “The claim that patients can recover as a result of CBT and GET is not justified by the data, and is highly misleading to clinicians and patients considering these treatments.”

Explanatory PACE Trial recovery paper articles
(Pacing, Activity, and Cognitive behavioural therapy, a randomised Evaluation) -
‘How a study about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was doctored, adding to pain and stigma’
‘Yet more research shows chronic fatigue syndrome is real. When will health services catch up?’
‘Getting it wrong on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome’
‘Call for retraction of PACE publication’

Our first Afternoon Tea will be Thursday 11 May, during M.E. Awareness Week.  Join us for an afternoon cuppa and chat, on Thursday 11 May, from 2.30 to 4.00 pm, at the Apple Barn Restaurant at Evesham Garden Centre, The Valley, Evesham. 

Help raise awareness during ME Awareness Week (May 8 to 14) by Going Blue in Evesham. 

Lunches continue - please see meetings page for all Summer Teas, and Lunches throughout the year.

The Walsall Fibro and ME Link and Solihull & South Birmingham ME Support Group are organising the Birmingham Millions Missing Protest, taking place on Friday 12 May at St Philip’s Cathedral Square, Colmore Row, B3 2QB, from 1.00 pm - 5.00 pm.

People from Worcestershire are welcome at this event, which marks the 25th International ME Awareness Day.

Anyone from Worcestershire who would like to attend is most welcome for as short or as long a time as they can manage - bring family and friends to swell the numbers too.  Bring shoes, labelled ‘millionsmissing’.  Also, anyone who would like to send shoes and a message, please email for further details.

Updates appear on the event’s facebook.

• Facebook Group: Millions Missing Birmingham UK (need to login)
• Facebook Event: Millions Missing - Birmingham (don't need to login to view)
  
  
• Evening Standard report of the 2016 Millions Missing Protest

Worcestershire Health & Care NHS Trust Survey

The NHS are asking people for their views on how the health and care services could look in the future.  All people in Worcestershire are encouraged to become involved - just go to this page - www.hacw.nhs.uk/yourconversation  and click on their ‘online survey’. 

Marina Townend, Specialist Occupational Therapist/ Team Lead of the Worcestershire CFS/ME service, thanks us for raising awareness on our website. The Worcestershire CFS/ME service is one of the services provided by Worcestershire Health & Care NHS Trust.

Further information about the plans is on the website.

Deadline for the health and care services Online Survey is Tuesday, 28 February 2017.
 
 
The Future of Acute Hospital Services in Worcestershire Survey

This consultation is about the future of services provided at Worcestershire’s largest NHS hospitals - the Alexandra Hospital, Kidderminster Hospital and the Worcestershire Royal Hospital. 

Everyone in Worcestershire is encouraged to read the Consultation Document and complete the Online Questionnaire/Survey.

Further information about the plans and public meetings and events are on the website.

Deadline for the Acute Hospital Services Online Survey is March 30th 2017.

Action for ME’s ‘Christmas 2016’ InterAction magazine throws a spotlight on our group.

ME Association: Specialist services round the UK – updated on 28 November 2016

Please Read This Statement Before Searching The List
Most of the NHS clinics for people with ME/CFS in this MEA directory base their management programme on the possible use of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and/or two differing approaches to activity/energy management known as graded exercise therapy (GET) and Pacing.
We suggest that you download and read the summary of the recommendations from the MEA ‘patient evidence’ report on CBT, GET and Pacing before deciding which of these approaches to management you think would be acceptable and may be helpful in your situation.
You could also take a copy of the summary of the MEA Report to the clinic if you have any questions or concerns about the sort of management programme that is being offered or recommended - if it involves CBT or some form of activity management.
In line with what is known as informed consent, people should not be coerced or persuaded into taking part in any form of management (drug or non-drug) where they have concerns over acceptability, effectiveness or safety - all of which should be discussed between doctor and patient before a decision on management is made.

Dr Charles Shepherd
Hon Medical Adviser, ME Association

Marina Townend - Specialist Occupational Therapist / Team Lead, confirmed that Julie Poulsen (part time Honorary Assistant Psychologist) has left the service, and Alice Brixey (part time Assistant Psychologist) will be leaving soon.
Also, Marina informed us that an OT student is now with the team -
“Sam Crockwell is a first year OT student from Worcester University who will be with us 1-2 days/ week until April 2017.  She will be sitting in on appointments and groups, if patients are agreeable to this, gradually taking on more responsibility under the team’s supervision.
Having students is a great way of increasing awareness and understanding about CFS/ME, and hopefully will be carried into whichever area of practice they go on to work in the future.”

The current team, from the end of Nov. 2016 is:
Marina Townend - (part time Specialist Occupational Therapist / Team Leader)
Helen Ayres - (part time Clinical Psychologist)
Sara Young - (part time Occupational Therapist)
Kirsti Barnes - (part time Administrator)
Sam Crockwell - (OT student)

Recovery and Management Group is now held on the last Wednesday of every other month at Ability House, Worcester  Please check the NHS website for dates and topics,  - 2017 now available.