Local MSP Adds His Support To M.E. Sufferers

Banff and Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has asked a series of Parliamentary Questions on the issue of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.) to coincide with M.E. Awareness Week.

Commenting on the condition, Mr Stevenson said:

“Information and support services are needed by people with ME, carers and health professionals. Even if you do not have ME or use services yourself, you can help others by telling them about existing services. I am certain that M.E. Awareness Week will achieve its aim of making more people aware of M.E. and also enable people to understand what it is like to actually have M.E.

“Campaigning in this area will help to improve the situation for people with M.E. Regrettably, there is no treatment for M.E. although there are many different alternative therapies available. Like many others though, I believe that the best thing an M.E. sufferer can do is to learn to manage their illness effectively.

“Quality of life is so important when it comes to surviving an illness like M. E. so complete nightmare. There are many charity groups that suffers can join, so they needn’t be alone. I am hopeful that M.E. sufferers will feel less isolated, and help others understand how it is so easy to become isolated when suffering from such a devastating illness.”

Note: The text of Mr Stevenson’s Parliamentary Questions read:

S2W-7493 Stewart Stevenson: To ask the Scottish Executive how many people there are with myalgic encephalomyelitis in (a) Scotland and (b) each parliamentary constituency.

S2W-7494 Stewart Stevenson: To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives it is supporting in connection with the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Awareness Week, May 2004 campaign.

S2W-7495 Stewart Stevenson: To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take in response to concerns about current treatment and resource provision in respect of myalgic encephalomyelitis, as referred to in a recent report published by the 25% M.E. Group, Severely Affected M.E. Analysis Report on Questionnaire Issues January 2004.

S2W-7496 Stewart Stevenson: To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to extend the resources available to primary healthcare providers for the treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis.