Media release: published 20 June 2024
New Hope for Australians battling ME/CFS and long COVID
Emerge Australia, the national patient organisation for people living with ME/CFS and long COVID, has welcomed Federal Government funding to update evidence based clinical guidelines, so health professionals can better diagnose and manage these debilitating conditions.
Emerge Australia’s chief executive officer, Anne Wilson said today, “we congratulate the Federal Health and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler for his government’s leadership on this critical and long -awaited decision, and express our appreciation to the Minster’s team and the Departmental personnel who have shown courage and thought leadership on behalf of over 250,000 Australians with ME/CFS alone.”
“Australia’s ME/CFS clinical guidelines are over 20 years old. This is the first government who has been willing to address these outdated clinical guidelines that do not reflect international best practice in the care of patients. We are truly grateful for the advocacy from many people, over many years that has led to this announcement.”
Today, the Minister has confirmed that his department is working with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to commission this vital work.
“The guidelines will follow the rigorous NHMRC guideline standards and will include an opportunity for all Australians to have their say on draft guidelines. The guidelines will take two to three years to develop and the NHMRC will consult broadly with all stakeholder groups representing patients and with health professional groups and experts in the evaluation of scientific evidence,” Minister Butler said.
In welcoming this significant milestone, Anne Wilson explained that she is looking forward to continuing this vital trajectory with ongoing, advanced discussions unfolding around much needed funding for clinical education, patient support and research.
“We welcome this first step and will continue to emphasise the urgent need for more to be done for those living with ME/CFS and long COVID.”
Emerge Australia, provides patient support, information, clinical education, advocacy, and biomedical research for up to 500,000 people living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and long COVID.
Contact: Claire Heaney Emerge Australia 0421 612 507. Anne Wilson CEO Emerge Australia is available for interview
