Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME)

Over the last decade we have seen many patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)/Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME) and unexplained fatigue. As a result of our experience we have now developed a programme for the in-patient management of individuals with CFS/ME.

The programme consists of the following elements:

• A re-assessment of social and psychological factors that may contribute towards the illness. The medical review may include blood tests to exclude any chronic inflammatory conditions or evidence of ongoing infective causes for fatigue.
• The teaching of basic management concepts - such as establishing a baseline of activity.
• A graded excercise programme. This would only commence in agreement with the patient-physio and physician and is closely monitored by the physiotherapist.
• Sessions with our counsellor using a combination of cognitive, psychodynamic or a person centred approach as appropriate for individual patients.
• The availability of chaplains for those who wish to explore their spiritual needs. Individual Christian Ministry is available to all who request it.
• The opportunity for a broader social integration which may have been lacking due to the isolation of the illness.  
• A structured discharge plan including telephone reviews and outpatients appointments:

Please note that the full programme content is based on the individual patient’s available physical and psychological energy levels and all sessions are paced accordingly.

The cost of this programme is inclusive of all nursing, medical, dry-land physiotherapy, chaplaincy and counselling care. An initial 3 week inpatient admission is advised, with subsequent admissions more likely to be two weeks in duration. Many patients may benefit from 2-3 admissions per year. Click here to read about the current available funding for ME/CFS patients.

A combination of donations and fees enables us to keep the cost of quite intensive therapy to a bare minimum.  Please click here for full details of all our care packages and prices.

As part of its commitment to working with CFS/ME patients, Burrswood Hospital is also working in conjunction with the ME Trust www.metrust.org.uk whose aim is to significantly change the lives of those suffering from CFS/ME.  Hannah Clifton, chair of Trustees, is Burrswood's CFS/ME advisor and can be contacted via the ME Trust website. 

Click Here to read about our Guild of Health bursary.
Click Here to read a patient's recent account - April 2011
Click Here to review Dr Paul Worthley's paper on CFS/ME.The following links are for our booking forms and Access to Care form
The following links are for our booking forms and Access to Care form
Doctor's Form
Patient's Admission Form
Access to Care Admission Form