New service for Highland chronic fatigue syndrome sufferers

NHS Highland is to launch a virtual support service for people with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Also known as ME/CFS, an estimated 50,000 Scots live with the condition but many find it hard to access treatment. Extreme tiredness is among the symptoms.

NHS Highland said it was expanding its long Covid service to offer online consultations to sufferers in the Highlands and Argyll and Bute.

From spring, patients referred by GPs will be offered personalised strategies aimed at alleviating their symptoms.

Dr Janet Scott, consultant physician on the health board's Covid recovery service, said a team of medical professionals would discuss a patient's individual needs and provide a treatment plan.

"ME/CFS can be a really severe problem," she said.

"Our role is to allow patients to enjoy life and remain part of society."

She added: "Everybody needs something a bit different."

NHS Highland said its long Covid service had seen about 300 patients over a two-year period.

In September, the Scottish government announced annual funding of £4.5m for health boards to invest in specialist services for chronic fatigue syndrome and similar conditions.

Janis Armstrong, from the Beauly area in the Highlands, has suffered from ME/CFS since 2018.

She said in the past she had found medical professionals to be "a bit sceptical" about the condition.

Armstrong said she was unable to work or exercise because of the unpredictable symptoms she experienced.

"There isn't an aspect of your life that it doesn't affect," she said.

She said the new service could be life-changing, adding: "It would make it feel a lot less scary.

"It gives you hope that people are trying to find ways to help."

Myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a long term condition that can affect different parts of the body, according to the NHS.

It affects more women than men, and sufferers include children and adults of all ages.

Symptoms include fatigue, disturbed sleep and waking up feeling exhausted.

People can also experience pain, nausea and "brain fog", which can leave a person struggling to recall numbers or words.