United Kingdom News
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UK: sign the petition close to forcing government response
A petition for more biomedical research funding for ME/CFS that was started in January is only 2,000 signatures short of the 10,000 needed to force the UK government to issue a response. The signatures must be gathered by 13 July. The petition is on the UK Government and Parliament Petitions site, where any of the
Act now! Our #MillionsMissing Round-Up
Hello, everyone! It’s only three days until the #MillionsMissing protest, so it’s time to review what’s gone on so far, and discuss what you can do to help ensure we are heard by our governments! Locations: So, your protest has gone out into the world and is now in a dozen different locations. Locations now
Donate to Marathon Runner to Support Invest in ME
I’m running my sixth EU marathon in Stockholm, Sweden on June 4th for biomedical ME research projects via Invest In ME (UK) and would love to meet up with anyone able to come cheer me on or meet for photos and a chat. I’m running to try to help one of my oldest friends, Ian,
UK plans world’s biggest biomedical ME/CFS study
Biomedical scientists from a range of disciplines met for a two-day workshop in Bristol on 13 and 14 April to discuss the ME/CFS “Grand Challenge” project, which plans to use a “big data” approach to the biochemistry of the illness and determine whether it is, as suspected, several different diseases. The study will be the biggest
UK ME/CFS Biobank opens for business
Dr Charles Shepherd of the ME Association has announced that the UK’s ME/CFS Biobank is now ready to send blood samples to researchers anywhere in the world. The biobank is run by a team headed by Dr Luis Nacul at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and forms part of the main University
Create a walk, run, or swimming event to raise money for ME!
The idea behind Walk for ME is that friends and family of an ME sufferer do a sponsored walk, run or swim on their behalf, hence the name Walk for ME or Walk for me.
Jason study compares housebound and non-housebound patients
A new study was published recently in the journal Chronic Illness, entitled Housebound versus nonhousebound patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome by Pendergrast et al. The authors of the paper included the well-known ME/CFS researchers Julia L. Newton and Leonard Jason. Newton is most often recognized for her studies in muscular function in
UK: Ask your MP to support release of PACE
Send an awareness letter to your MP now and formally invite them to attend the APPG meeting on M.E. and to support the removal of psychiatry from M.E.
Professor Stephen Holgate: UK has “dream team” for Grand Challenge
________ Note: This article has been updated to provide context about the long-running controversy over the CMRC’s inclusion of of not only biomedical scientists but of researchers who take a biopsychosocial approach to ME/CFS. Some of this context was supplied in our earlier piece announcing the livestreaming of the AGM but we accept that many
Centre for Welfare Reform criticises PACE trial
The Centre for Welfare Reform has published a 64-page report criticising the PACE trial and relating the study to the debate over welfare reform and cuts to disability benefits in the UK. The report’s author, George Faulkner, discusses how the biopsychosocial model has helped create a climate in Britain in which the sick are seen
The UK CFS/ME Research Collaborative to livestream AGM on 27 April
The 2016 Annual General Meeting of the UK CFS/ME Research Collaborative (CMRC) will be livestreamed on Wednesday 27 April, from 2.45 pm to 3.30 pm British Summer Time. Viewers must preregister. The agenda of the AGM is as follows: Welcome and apologies Annual report 2014-15 Charter revisions/approval Plans for 2015-16 Membership of the Board Any other business
British doctor known for defending children prohibited from treating ME patients
On 20 April, the UK’s General Medical Council (GMC) imposed limits on the medical license of Dr Nigel Speight, well known for his work in protecting children with ME/CFS against inappropriate psychological intervention and removal from their families. The limits come after a complaint from Esther Crawley, medical advisor to the Association of Young People with ME.