In our final episode we discuss severe ME. One in four people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) are severely or very severely affected. Our guests for this episode are Dr Robin Kerr, a GP with over 10 years’ experience in general practice; and patient advocate Helen Brownlie, who campaigns on severe ME through the UK charity which specifically supports people with severe ME, the 25% ME Group. To represent the voice of people living with severe ME, who are too unwell to speak for...

In this, the eleventh episode in our Learn About ME podcast series, we discuss how Occupational Therapy can support people living with Long Covid and M.E. Our guests are Katie Davies, Occupational Therapy Team Lead in NHS Grampian; and Corinne, a patient with Long Covid. To avoid potential harms by energy management being wrongly applied, the 2021 NICE guideline for ME/CFS recommends that, “in specific circumstances, people with ME/CFS should be referred to a physiotherapist or Therapis...

In this tenth episode of our Learn about M.E. podcast series, we discuss the need for specialist support and understanding for children and young people who live with M.E. The right support is essential to help them access education that meets their needs alongside appropriate health and social care. We hear from Dr Binita Kane, a Respiratory Consultant inManchester In January 2021, Dr Kane’s 10yr old daughter developed COVID and subsequently Long COVID / MECFS. Acknowledging her own li...

Our ninth episode in the Learn About M.E. series is about GP Prescribing for people with M.E. In this episode, Dr Aileen Billsdon-McGrane, a GP, discusses what GPs need to consider when they are prescribing to support people to manage their symptoms of M.E. We also hear from Kirstie Mitchell who has a diagnosis of M.E. Dr Billsdon-McGrane suggests GPs need to take a holistic approach to managing M.E. and that any management plan needs to be wider than just prescribing medication. Any pl...

This is the eighth in our series of podcasts on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.)/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). In this episode, we discuss the exciting new research project, Decode M.E., launched in September 2022. This is the largest M.E./CFS study in the world and aims to identify potential genetic causes of why people become ill with M.E./CFS. It is funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The study is led by Professor C...

In this seventh episode of our Learn About M.E. podcast series, M.E. Specialist Physiotherapists, Gina and Melanie discuss what Physiotherapists need to consider when working with someone with M.E. They share that anyone providing care needs to be fully aware of the condition and the latest guidance on ME/CFS (NICE Guideline Myalgic encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy)/chronic fatigue syndrome: diagnosis and management [NG206]). Gina and Melanie both completed the free online CPD module on M...

In this sixth episode of our Learn About M.E. podcast series, we hear from a Clinical Nurse Specialist in M.E., Keith Anderson, about the vital support that nurses can provide to people with M.E. Keith is joined by a retired Nurse, Midwife, Health Visitor and Clinical Practice Teacher and Carer, Pamela Binny, who offers insight into some of the knowledge on M.E. she wished that she had while she was practising as a Nurse. She is able to describe, first hand, the devastating impact of M.E. not...

In this fifth episode of our Learn About M.E. podcast series, we explore the understanding and adjustments needed in Social Care and Social Work service to enable people with M.E. to access and benefit from services. We hear from Clare Ogden, Services Manager at Action for M.E., Zoe McIntyre, a professional in social care who also has Fibromyalgia and Rhona Barton, who has recovered from severe M.E. and who has volunteered as a Peer Mentor supporting people with M.E. The podcast illustrates ...

In this fourth episode of our Learn About ME podcast series, we hear from medical students about their experience of learning about ME/CFS at their medical schools. We also hear about their own research into medical students and practising GPs knowledge and understanding of ME/CFS and its impact on patient’s quality of life. The students talk about how medical education such as the Learn about ME CPD module and this podcast series can support GPs and students to be more confident in identify...

In this third episode of our Learn about ME podcast series, we hear from, Dr Nina Muirhead, creator of the Learn about ME CPD learning module and, Dr Gregor Purdie, about the importance of highlighting the changes in the newly updated NICE guideline on ME/CFS: diagnosis and management. They are joined by, Helen, who lives with ME and who volunteers for The 25% ME group. Helen shares her experience in order to encourage healthcare professionals to implement the changes in the guideline. We hop...

In the second episode in our Learn about ME podcast series we are exploring Long Covid and how the study of this condition can impact on our understanding of ME/CFS. We hear from Dr David Strain who plays a leading role in the BMA’s response to Long Covid; Dr Nina Muirhead, creator of the Learn about ME CPD learning module and Alec Finlay who has lived with M.E. and now has Long Covid. We hope that this information can help health and social care professionals to offer appropriate support to ...

A discussion with Dr Nina Muirhead about the free Continuing Professional Development (CPD) module she has developed for GPs and other health professionals about the diagnosis, treatment and management of M.E. or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Ruth Richardson, from the charity Action for M.E. talks to Dr Muirhead as well as a GP who has accessed the CPD and Anna and Craig who live with M.E. Each person tells how they feel the module would improve the experience and outcomes for both the p...