The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
‘Stigmatised and ignored’
Campaigners are calling upon the Scottish Government to provide better help for those suffering with a chronic condition.
More than 20,000 people in Scotland are living with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), which is often diagnosed following an infection, such as glandular fever.
The lives of people who have previously been healthy and active can often be left devastated by the condition.
Yet little is known about the cause of ME, which is also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), or about how best to treat the condition.
The campaign group #MEAction Scotland has now written to the Scottish Government calling for “urgent action” to be taken.
One of its volunteers, Helen McDade, said: “#MEAction Scotland is seeking urgent action from the Health Secretary Humza Yousaf.
“People with ME are still routinely stigmatised and ignored by the medical and social care services.
“There is only one specialist nurse and no medical specialists in Scotland.
“Three Scottish Government reports since 2002 have acknowledged this situation and recommended actions to remedy the situation.
“Almost none of these actions have been taken. The Covid pandemic is no excuse for delay.”
Public Health Scotland carried out an assessment of patient needs and the report was published in December last year.
There were 26 recommendations, highlighting the need for health boards to develop a service with “supported care and treatment” with a specialist team put in place for patients.
It’s also recommended that a dedicated helpline and website is set up to support people with ME and their carers.
Helen has now called for the health secretary to take on these recommendations.
Mia Grainger, 17, of Aberdeen, has a dream of working as a nurse but is struggling to keep up with her studies due to the illness. At times she is left confined to her bed with extreme tiredness and pain in her knees and ankles.
She said: “At first I really struggled with it, I pushed myself because I didn’t want to accept that it got to me.”
Ms Grainger was diagnosed in 2016 when she was in Primary 7 at Kingswells Primary School and had to give up her place in the Scottish gymnastics squad because of her illness.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We are committed to ensuring everyone living with ME/ CFS in Scotland is able to access the best possible care and support.”