The introduction of so-called 'medically unexplained symptoms' (MUS) to GPs' diagnostic toolkit means many people with complex, chronic illnesses will not receive proper medical attention or thorough investigation of their physical problems. 1/ #pwME #MyalgicE #nhs #MedEd
The routine channeling of ME/CFS patients to psychological services delivered by IAPT cements the NHS's view of the illness as psychogenic. This is out of step with the scientific evidence, a waste of resources and a grave disservice to an already underserved patient group. 2/
One can only view the situation with dismay. How's it allowed to happen? Who's calling the shots? Why doesn't anyone other than ME patients + genuine ME experts seem to care? How much longer can the medical profession continue ignoring the evidence + mistreating ME patients? 3/
As ME/CFS patients wait expectantly for NICE to review its guidelines on the treatment of ME/CFS, the NHS doubles down on decades of pushing a false psychological narrative about the illness and treating patients with ineffective (CBT) and harmful (GET) treatments. 4/
I'm reminded of what's written above the entrance to Hell in Dante's 'Inferno': "Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch’intrate" - Abandon hope all who enter. This should be blazoned across the door of every GP's office and NHS 'CFS Clinic' which ME/CFS patients enter. 5/
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