Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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212. To ask the Minister for Health if will consider the establishment of a myalgic encephalomyelitis working group with immediate effect, as suggested by a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23712/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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With respect to the question raised by the deputy, the HSE has advised my department that to date there is no known specific laboratory diagnostic test to determine or confirm a correct diagnosis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.); nor is there any one specific treatment that works for all sufferers. Assessment and interventions need to be tailored by the clinician to the individual.

As with all assessments and treatments, whether they are provided in a primary care or secondary care setting, the HSE aims to provide comprehensive, evidence-based, safe, up-to-date care for all our patients. The HSE is mindful of the impact on adults, children and their families of the diagnosis of many of the serious conditions encountered. Ultimately, it aims to support patients and their families through the range of available treatments.

While there are a number of international diagnostic systems for clinicians, the HSE has advised that the Irish ME Trust, an Irish patient representative organisation, supports the use of the Canadian Consensus Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of M.E. The diagnosis of M.E. in this document outlines that a person should have a number of symptoms in the following areas:

- Fatigue;

- Post-exertional malaise and/or fatigue

- Sleep dysfunction;

- Pain;

- Neurological/cognitive manifestations (e.g. confusion, impaired concentration, memory difficulties etc.);

- At least one symptom from the following categories: Autonomic manifestations (e.g. light-headedness, nausea); Neuroendocrine manifestations (sweating etc.); Immune manifestations (tender lymph nodes, sore throats etc.);

- The illness persists for at least six months. The HSE is currently reviewing the information it provides on ME on its website.

These are assessments/tests which can be carried out in a primary care setting by the General Practitioner. Specialised tests may be required when considering differential diagnoses. Treatment for M.E. is based on the individuals' symptoms. In general these treatments are delivered within the context of primary care, with referrals into secondary care for specialist interventions in the areas of Neurology, Rheumatology, Pain Specialists, Endocrinology, Immunology, Cardiology and gastroenterology.

These services are generally accessed through Out-patient clinics at secondary care level by the relevant specialty. My department will keep the question of any HSE working group in this area under review. The HSE is currently working on how best to improve access to these services and the work of the Outpatient Services Improvement Programme should see significant improvements relating to access to appropriate services , including for patients with ME in the coming months.