Whilst the situation in Greater Manchester has radically improved in recent years with new Multidisciplinary
Team Services being set up across most areas (but not yet Trafford or Rochdale!); more NHS
consultants specializing in ME diagnosis/treatment and a new Children’s Service now covering all Greater
Manchester’s severely affected ME children – there is still ‘much room for improvement’ regarding GPs
diagnosing the illness speedily and providing appropriate management/treatment and long-term ME
patients, in my view, still get a raw deal. Hopefully this list of consultants and various services will be of
help to those wishing to get a diagnosis or get expert help to improve their recovery.
NHS Choices
Since January 2009 patients cared for by the NHS in England have had a new legal right given by the
NHS Constitution to make choices about the services that they receive. This includes the right to choose a
GP surgery; to state which GP you’d like to see; to choose which hospital you are treated at and to receive
information to support your choices.
For example, anyone wishing to get a diagnosis of CFS/ME confirmed or reassessed due to say new
symptoms may ask their GP to be referred to a named consultant.
At the time of writing, I understand that GPs, in say Stockport, can refer patients directly to a consultant
without seeking approval from the PCT. For anyone living outside Greater Manchester or anyone seeking
say inpatient treatment (which costs £10,000s) your GP would have to seek funding approval from your
PCT to refer you.
For more information visit www.nhs.uk/choicesinthenhs
Greater Manchester NHS Consultants with a specialist interest in CFS/ME
Leigh Infirmary. Dr Tarek Gaber, Rehabilitation Medicine Department Tel. 01942 264 321.
Ashton, Leigh & Wigan PCT areas covered. Neurology specialism. Very interested in severe ME patients:
very occasionally may accept ‘out of area’ referrals.
North Manchester General Hospital. Dr Pattrick / Dr Snowden, Rheumatology Department.
Tel. 0161 720 2622. Oldham, Bury, Rochdale, Tameside & Glossop, Stockport and Manchester PCT areas
covered. Dr Pattrick will also see patients privately.
Royal Oldham Hospital. Dr Sarah Burlinson, Psychological Medicine Department.Tel. 0161 627 8330.
Oldham PCT area covered
Salford Royal Hospital. Dr Annice Mukherjee, Endocrinology Department Tel. 0161 206 7049.
Salford PCT area covered and also accepts ‘out of area’ referrals.
Stepping Hill Hospital. Dr Talbot, Neurologist at MRI does clinics at SHH. Tel. 0161 419 5840.
Stockport PCT area covered. Dr Philip Lewis, Cardiology Department will now only see ME patients
privately. Tel. 01625 540 230.
Greater Manchester NHS CFS/ME Multidisciplinary Teams
East Manchester CFS/ME Service. Tel. 0161 426 5481. Adults; Stockport, Oldham, Manchester, Tameside
and Glossop PCTs only. Clinician: Dr Annice Mukherjee
Bolton & Bury CFS/ME Service. Tel. 01204 432 765. Adults; Bolton & Bury PCTs only.
Clinician: Dr Andy Wright
Ashton, Leigh & Wigan CFS/ME Service.. Tel. 01942 264 321. Adults; Ashton, Leigh & Wigan PCTs only.
Clinician: Dr Tarek Gaber
NHS CFS/ME Hospital-based Services
Salford Royal Hospital. Tel 0161 206 7049/5153. Adults; Salford PCT and ‘out of area’ referrals.
Clinician: Dr Annice Mukherjee; ME nurse, CBT, physiotherapy.
North Manchester General Hospital. Tel 0161 720 2622. Adults: Note: CFS/ME Clinic now closed.
Clinicians: Dr Pattrick / Dr Snowden refer patients to a physiotherapy “Exercise for Life “programme.
NHS Specialist Service for Severe CFS/ME
Greater Manchester Clinical Network Coordinating Centre. Tel 0161 219 9420.
ME specialist nurse Gill Walsh and physiotherapist Karen Bradbury.
A domiciliary service for adult patients living in Greater Manchester, who are house/bedbound and
do not have a local CFS/ME Multidisciplinary Team. Patient’s PCT required to fund the service.
NHS CFS/ME Service for Children and Young People
Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. Contact 0161 701 4516, Alex Moore ME Specialist Nurse.
Children and young people to age 16; Clinicians: Dr Paul Abeles/Dr Sam Kannan, occupational therapy,
physiotherapy. Now accepts referrals from across Greater Manchester. Provides a direct clinical service for
more severe/complex cases and offers guidance to local clinicians caring for children with mild CFS/ME.
NHS Inpatient Services
The National Essex Neurosciences CFS Inpatient & Outpatient Service.
Prof. Leslie Findley Consultant Neurologist uses a holistic multidisciplinary approach. Provides diagnosis,
treatment/management and rehabilitation to severe and very complex CFS/ME cases, as inpatients.
Also provides outpatient service for mild/moderate cases. PCT agreement required to fund the treatment.
(Average inpatient stay 3 months). Tel. 01708 435 044 for details.
Leeds CFS/ME Service
A Multidisciplinary Team Service providing assessment, diagnosis and management/treatment and
rehabilitation. Provides an inpatient service at Leeds General Infirmary. Led by Dr Russell Saxby, a Liaison
Psychiatrist, for moderate/severe/complex CFS/ME patients. (Average inpatient stay 4/6 weeks).
PCT agreement required to fund the treatment. Tel 0113 392 7140 for details.
Note: both services may accept private patients
New Private Inpatient Service. Chester - St Cyril’s Rehabilitation Unit.
A Multidisciplinary Team Service providing assessment, diagnosis and management/treatment and
rehabilitation. Led by Dr Azer, Rehabilitation Consultant. Specialist Neuro Rehab Unit for severe ME patients.
(Initial 6 weeks inpatient) Self-fund/PCT agreement required to fund treatment. Tel. 01244 665 330 for
details.
Note: for more information about CFS/ME; diagnosis; treatment and the Greater Manchester
NHS Services listed visit: www.manchestercfsme.nhs.uk
I welcome your feedback on the NHS Services and any problems getting a referral.
Derek Vernon. Tel 0161 427 2325 (Mon-Fri only)
