Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Service

• What to expect during referral
• What to expect during your assessment
• What to expect after assessment

What to expect during referral

Before we offer an assessment, we will ensure that other illnesses have been ruled out by your GP or another health professional involved in your care. This usually involves having routine investigations, such as blood tests, before you are referred to our service.

Referrals to our service are made by your GP or another health professional involved in your care. They will need to include your recent blood test results and any other essential information we require.

Once your referral has been received, we will review it in detail. If we need additional information to fully understand your situation, we may contact your referrer to request further details.

Following this review, we will either:

• place you on our waiting list for an assessment, or
• provide your referrer with recommendations about the most appropriate next steps for your care.

There may be a waiting period before your assessment, as we make sure each person receives the time and attention they need during their consultation. During this time, you will be sent some questionnaires to complete before your appointment.

Health services can be difficult to navigate when you have a complex condition. We work closely with other specialist NHS services so if we receive a referral and believe another service can better meet your needs, we will share relevant information with that service to help you access the most appropriate support as quickly as possible.

What to expect during your assessment

Appointments may take place face to face, virtually, or as a combination of both, depending on your needs and circumstances.

When your assessment is scheduled, you will be invited to meet with a member of our specialist team for a detailed consultation. You may be seen by any professional within our service, and we aim to match you with the clinician most appropriate for your needs based on the information in your referral.

During the assessment, you will be asked about different areas of your life, including:

• your physical health
• your daily activities
• your sleep
• your mood
• your social support

This helps us build a thorough understanding of your fatigue and how it affects your day‑to‑day life, so we can tailor your care to your individual needs.

Your assessor will then work with your referrer to develop a formulation of your condition, taking into account:

• your medical history
• your symptoms
• your personal circumstances

The outcome of your assessment will be shared with you either during the appointment or after further discussion with our multidisciplinary team, ensuring your care is holistic and well coordinated.

What to expect after assessment

After the assessment, your assessor will share our understanding with you and provide:

• tailored advice and guidance on your current situation, which may include recommendations for referral to other services if additional support would be beneficial
• allocation to one of our individual or group treatment pathways, if appropriate

If you are placed on a treatment pathway:

• you will be assigned a member of our team to work with you
• you will be offered a set number of sessions, designed to:
  • • set personal goals relevant to your life and recovery
    • work towards these goals with practical strategies and support

Your progress and needs will be reviewed throughout the programme, and adjustments made where needed to ensure your care remains tailored to you.

Throughout, we will stay in contact with your GP and any other professionals involved in your care. When needed, we also involve our wider team to make sure your care is joined‑up and well coordinated.