First reported 8 Oct 2024•Latest report 7 Jul 2025
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures in professional training, education, knowledge, competence assurance or clinical understanding specifically concerning ME/CFS and its treatment, including severe ME, where the deficiency can impair recognition, support or care.
Not included
Excludes generic medical training or competence deficiencies where ME/CFS is not the material clinical condition.
Excludes failures in ME/CFS service availability, commissioning, research or implementation of clinical guidance where professional competence is not the deficient control.
Excludes failures in treatment, diagnosis or access to care after professionals have demonstrated adequate ME/CFS competence, unless the competence process itself is also deficient.
Excludes patient or public awareness concerns that do not concern the competence of healthcare professionals providing ME/CFS care.
Reports
2
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
2
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2024–2025
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
9
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Department of Health and Social Care2
Medical Research Council1
Medical Schools Council1
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence1
National Institute for Health and Care Research1
NHS England1
Ministerial department2
Education sector body1
Executive non-departmental public body1
Other public body1
Sub-organisation1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Avon
Concerns raised1
Lack of professional understanding and training about ME
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.5
Action
Develop and publish ME/CFS guidance recommending assessment and skills for specialist services.
Stated by National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 15 July 2025.
Action
Support development and publish e-learning materials consistent with ME/CFS guidance on the NICE website.
Stated by National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 15 July 2025.
Action
Commission and publish a Clinical Knowledge Summary on ME/CFS for primary-care professionals.
Stated by National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 15 July 2025.
Action
Work with NHS England to develop e-learning for healthcare and other professionals on ME/CFS.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 15 July 2025.
Action
Continue promoting ME/CFS e-learning through professional, sector and representative networks and targeted communications.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 15 July 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Education and training about ME/CFS are the responsibility of professional colleges and the NHS.
Stated by National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Devon, Plymouth and Torbay
Concerns raised1
Extremely limited doctor training on ME/CFS treatment, especially severe ME
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.4
Action
Share the NHS England e-learning package on ME with medical schools.
Stated by Medical Schools CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 8 October 2024.
Action
Develop an e-learning course on ME/CFS for healthcare professionals with NHS England.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 October 2024.
Action
Publish an introductory e-learning module covering ME/CFS causes, diagnosis and management.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 8 October 2024.
Action
Develop two further ME/CFS e-learning modules covering primary-care management and severe ME/CFS management in secondary care.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 October 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.5
Position
The Medical Schools Council cannot compel medical schools to change curricula or require particular content to be delivered.
Stated by Medical Schools CouncilOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
The GMC regulates and quality assures undergraduate medical education, including the relevant curriculum standards.
Stated by Medical Schools CouncilRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Postgraduate medical education and training are outside the Medical Schools Council’s responsibility.
Stated by Medical Schools CouncilOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
The GMC regulates postgraduate training, while medical Royal Colleges develop specialty and general practice curricula and assess specialist knowledge.
Stated by Medical Schools CouncilRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
NHS England, NICE and the Medical Schools Council will address concerns falling within their respective areas of competence.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
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Includes failures in professional training, education, knowledge, competence assurance or clinical understanding specifically concerning ME/CFS and its treatment, including severe ME, where the deficiency can impair recognition, support or care.
