Northern Ireland, nidirect.gov.uk website, Chronic fatigue syndrome

[Sly Saint]

The information on this page has been adapted from original content from the NHS website.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a long-term illness with a wide range of symptoms. The most common symptom is extreme tiredness. CFS is also known as ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis). The condition can affect anyone, including children. It's more common in women. It tends to develop between your mid-20s and mid-40s.
Symptoms of CFS/(ME)
There's some debate over the correct term to use for the condition. The information on this page will refer to the condition as CFS/ME.

The main symptom of CFS/ME is feeling extremely tired and generally unwell. This usually occurs after physical activity. The symptoms may be delayed for a day or more and may take several days to end.

In addition, people with CFS/ME may have other symptoms, including:

• sleep problems
• muscle or joint pain
• headaches
• a sore throat or sore glands that aren't swollen
• problems thinking, remembering or concentrating
• flu-like symptoms
• feeling dizzy or sick
• fast or irregular heartbeats (heart palpitations)

Most people find over exercising makes their symptoms worse.

Treatments include:

• cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) (external link opens in a new window / tab)
• a structured exercise programme or management of activity and rest periods, depending upon individual symptoms/response

Living with CFS/ME can be difficult. Extreme tiredness and other physical symptoms can make it hard to carry out everyday activities. You may have to make some major lifestyle changes.

CFS/ME can also affect your mental and emotional health, and have a negative effect on your self-esteem.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) | nidirect

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[Peter T]

There is the question of how the NICE guidelines apply in relation to Northern Ireland, NICE’s own website says that they only automatically apply to England and Wales, but looking at the Northern Ireland Department of Health website it seems that they are generally adopted in the province too with only caveats when differences in local law apply.

see https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/articles/nice-clinical-guidelines The Department has reviewed its process for the endorsement, implementation, monitoring and assurance of NICE Clinical Guidelines in Northern Ireland. The arrangements for the endorsement, implementation, monitoring and assurance of NICE Clinical Guidelines in Northern Ireland are detailed in the following circular, which can into effect from effective from 1 April 2022.

Circular HSC (SQSD) 13 22 - NICE Clinical Guidelines – Process for Endorsement, Implementation, Monitoring and Assurance in Northern Ireland

Indeed the NI Department of Health formally adopted the new 2021 ME/CFS guidelines in January 2022 (see https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/doh-sqsd-ng-206.pdf
Circular HSC (SQSD) (NICE NG206) 5/22 Subject: NICE Clinical Guideline NG206 – Myalgic encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy)/chronic fatigue syndrome: diagnosis and management (updates and replaces CG53)).

Consequently the website quoted above is incompatible with the NI Department of Health’s official policy.

[corrected typos]