Future Changes combining the local Services. 
Please respond with your suggestions this week.
 
Marina Townend is the Service Lead/Specialist Occupational Therapist, of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Post-Covid Syndrome Services.  She has been in touch updating us with forthcoming changes to the NHS Worcestershire ME/CFS Specialist Services). 
 
Marina informed us that this week, an email went out to all patients on their current ME/CFS and PCS caseloads, and the Recovery and Management (RaM) Group - totalling approximately 400 people, giving them a survey to complete.

Good morning,
 
At the moment in Herefordshire and Worcestershire there are two separate NHS services for people living with post-viral syndromes.   One for people with Post Covid Syndrome (PCS) (sometimes called Long Covid) and another for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).
 
There is now a plan to bring the two services together which will be helpful for a number of reasons:

• Less Covid testing has meant some people cannot access either service because they don’t have a clear diagnosis.

• There is an increasing number of people who meet the criteria for both conditions.
• GPs sometimes aren’t sure which service to refer patients to as they have very similar symptoms.  The new service will be easier to refer to, and may allow more people to access treatment and support.

• The Long Covid Service has been funded on an annual basis up until now.  The new service has long term funding which means patients with Long Covid will get the same offer of longer-term support like those with ME/CFS. 
• It will allow patients with ME/CFS and Long Covid to access specialist GP and Consultant input which is not always possible now.

 
We know this change might be worrying for you and the people who support you.  We want to let you know that many of the staff already work across both services and are knowledgeable about both ME/CFS and PCS.  We will continue to treat people based on their symptoms and needs, using the same group work and 1:1 support we offer now.
 
We want a service that is helpful to all, and those who care for you.  To do this we want to know how people feel about the proposed changes,  Please complete the attached ME/CFS specialist services survey by the END OF FEBRUARY if you can.   If you need help to fill it in or would like to talk to us about it instead, please let us know.

The Worcestershire ME/CFS Therapy Team can currently be contacted through Malvern Community Hospital. (01684 612671   [email protected] and their webpage NHS Worcestershire ME/CFS Specialist Services).
 
 
Marina continued with further news about the local combined services.  She explained that all residence of Herefordshire and Worcestershire, with Post Covid Syndrome (PCS) (sometimes called Long Covid), or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), are invited to share their thoughts. 
 
By the END OF FEBRUARY, please email [email protected]  with your comments or suggestions.  Please include the subject "combined services".
Please include how you feel about the plan bringing the two services together to create one service, and what would you like to see the new service do?
Have you any suggestion what to call the new service?  Maybe, Post Viral Fatigue service;  Living well with ME/CFS and Long Covid;  or Wellbeing for Long Covid and ME/CFS (the WELCOME service);  or your further thoughts.
 
Marina, confirmed that there will be wider communications going out in the next few weeks, including to the general public, GPs and other health professionals.  We also understand from Marina that it is hoped to follow this up with some GP training, including around the NICE guideline recommendations that patients receive an annual review.  Also, before the new combined service goes live on 1st April, the ME Association (MEA) and British Association of Clinicians in ME/CFS (BACME) will be updated with the Worcestershire and Herefordshire.NHS Services for people living with post-viral syndromes.

Please join us, at our Afternoon Café Meeting on Wednesday, 12 February, from 2.00 - 3.30 pm, in the Next Café, above the Next store at the Elgar Retail Park, Blackpole, Worcester, WR3 8HP.  (There is a lift and escalator in the store, plus plenty of parking, including blue badge spaces near the main entrance.)  
 
All people with M.E., CFS, FMS, Long Covid, and their carers, friends and relatives, are welcome at all Worcestershire M.E. Social Group gatherings - please join us whenever it suits you.
(*should there be snow on this date it will be cancelled).
 
Future Afternoon Café Meetings will also be on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, from 2.00 - 3.30 pm, at the Next Café.  Further information with all 2025 dates listed is available on our Meetings page.

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