THE devastating illness known as ME is said to be costing Herefordshire £10 million a year, writes LIZ WATKINS.

Around 700 people in the county are believed to have the illness and the financial loss comes through money spent on benefits, medical services and lost income by sufferers.

These facts are revealed in a report by Sheffield Hallam University, specially prepared for the Charity Action for M.E to mark M.E awareness week.

It led Chris Clark, chief executive of the charity to say "£10 million is a huge amount of money wasted in Herefordshire.''

And it caused John Simpson, public relations officer for the Herefordshire branch to criticise Herefordshire Primary Care Trust for lack of action in the matter. There would be an enormous outcry if such money was lost in other ways and someone would be called to account, he said.

Mr Simpson accused the PCT of being unconcerned, complacent and putting its head in the sand by refusing to see a vast amount of money, as well as 700 lives draining away year by year. "The time has come for losses to stop,'' he said.

A PCT spokesman reacted to the criticism with 'sadness'.

Mandate

Simon Hairsnape, director of health development, said he believed the Herefordshire trust was ahead of many other trusts in giving support to the victims of ME and their families.

A group representing the trust, Herefordshire Community Health Council, Social Services, GPs and the local ME group was set up last May and had many meetings with a mandate to look at the concerns of sufferers, and what could be done to help.

The CHC had circulated widely a questionnaire to gain views and then produced a comprehensive guide package.

A dedicated help phone line had been established and help made available over benefit difficulties.

"We thought things were going quite well, and some had said how pleased they were,'' said Mr Hairsnape.

A great deal of work had been done, but he agreed there was still a lot to do. It was now planned to recall the consultative group, make up a newsletter to explain what was going on and report that negotiations were taking place for a consultant with specialist interest in M.E to hold clinics in Hereford on a weekly basis.

l ME affects anyone, regardless of sex or age, causes profound exhaustion, muscle pain and problems with memory and concentration. The exact cause is unknown. The M.E charity is calling for more research into the cause and to finding effective treatments.