Patient contact
Service management
Loretta Chinwokwu
Address
Myalgic encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Fibromyalgia service
Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
3rd floor
60 Great Ormond Street
London, WC1N 3HR
GP contact
Other referral information
Referrals are only accepted by e-referral from GPs or by tertiary referral by letter from authorised healthcare professionals.
Referrers must complete and attach a referral form.
Referral address
Myalgic encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Fibromyalgia service
Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
3rd floor
60 Great Ormond Street London
WC1N 3HR
| UCLH service name | NHS e-referral specialty |
Clinic type |
|
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia Service (RAS) - RLHIM - UCLH - RRV |
Infectious Diseases |
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Service |
They are chronic conditions (lasting months or years) which affect daily functioning and involve chronic fatigue not much relieved by rest (defining ME/CFS) and made worse by exertion, chronic widespread muscle pain (defining FMS), sleep disturbance (particularly unrefreshing sleep), concentration difficulties, and sometimes mood disturbance, headaches, intestinal, urinary and a range of other possible symptoms.
The specialist team consists of:
- Doctors
- Occupational Therapist
- Physiotherapist
- Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapists
- Dietitian
The service is based on NICE (National Institute of Health and Care Excellence) and EULAR (European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology) guidelines for these conditions. The aims of the service are to:
- Help you understand your condition
- Enable you to develop helpful coping strategies to manage symptoms
- Reduce distress and disability
- Improve your quality of life
We use a holistic approach, meaning that we look at both the physical and psychological aspects of the illness.
You will first be seen by a doctor who will make a detailed clinical assessment. Your doctor may do some blood tests to exclude other possible causes of fatigue and associated symptoms, and review any medicines you are currently taking.
Other members of the team will also help you manage your condition. They will plan a personal programme for you. This may be one to one or you could be part of a small group. The plan may include:
- Occupational Therapy (including Energy Management)
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (for coping with chronic conditions)
- Physiotherapy (to maintain physical functioning and mobility)
- Stress Management
- Sleep Management
- Dietary Advice
- Acupuncture (for chronic widespread muscle pain)
The doctor may see you for follow-up appointments during the programme to review any change in medication, and for final review once treatment is completed.
What happens after my initial appointment?
If you are accepted for therapy, you will be contacted by one of our administrators to schedule either your group or individual therapy sessions.
Because we receive a large number of referrals, it is possible that you may have to wait before your therapy starts.
What if I cannot attend my initial appointment?
If you are unable to attend your appointment, please let us know at least 48 hours beforehand so that we can reschedule and offer your appointment to someone else. If you do not attend your appointment without telling us, we may refer you back to your GP.
If your appointment is more than 24 hours away, please change or cancel it by using the online form below or calling us on 020 3456 7890.
If your appointment is within the next 24 hrs please call us on 020 3456 7890.
If you have any non-urgent queries regarding your appointment or our services, please email us at uclh.
The RLHIM is also a teaching hospital and from time to time other healthcare professionals may observe in outpatient clinics as part of a training course. We will always ask your permission for students to sit in during your consultation. You do not have to have students present if you would prefer not to.