ME/CFS Questions and Answers – June 2025

Delivery Plan for ME/CFS

• The Department of Health and Social Care is preparing a national ME/CFS Delivery Plan.
• Focus areas include:
  • Advancing research
  • Improving education and professional attitudes
  • Enhancing quality of life for patients across England

📚 NICE Guidelines and NHS Implementation

• Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning ME/CFS services.
• NHS England is developing an e-learning course to improve diagnosis and care.
• While NICE guidelines are not mandatory, the government expects commissioners to work toward full implementation.

📍 Local Focus: Wiltshire

• Questions raised about:
  • Improving ME/CFS diagnosis in primary care
  • Monitoring implementation of NICE guidelines in local NHS trusts

💷 Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Reforms

• From November 2026, claimants must score at least four points in one daily living activity to qualify for PIP.
• Transitional support of 13 weeks will be provided to those losing eligibility.
• No specific impact assessment has been made for individual conditions like ME/CFS, autism, ADHD, or mental health.
• A wider review of the PIP assessment process is underway, involving experts and people with lived experience.