Professor Karina Butler:

I cannot speak for every practitioner, but I can speak for my own practice and that of colleagues. Anyone who is referred with a query related to Lyme disease, whether they have it or want an interpretation of test results, receive an appointment. We do not have waiting lists and generally see people promptly. The average consultation time I spend with such a family is between 60 and 90 minutes, during which time I go through things with them. We do take the issue seriously because there are reasons patients come to us. They have symptoms, but we do not believe they are necessarily of Lyme disease. There is a lack of clinical pathways for conditions of chronic fatigue or non-specific symptoms. We have to work to improve in that regard.