Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalopathy (CFS/ME)

We provide specialist diagnosis, assessment, treatment and review for adults with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalopathy (CFS/ME). We are focused on recovery, and work with patients to help them lead healthy, independent and fulfilling lives.

The service is available across Dorset. Our team includes GPs, rheumatologists and occupational therapists. Following diagnosis, we offer an occupational therapy led fatigue management programme.

A specialist children’s service is also available across Dorset at Dorset HealthCare :: Children and Young People's ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Service

If you, or someone you know, would like to access this service, please speak to your GP.

The service works closely with the charity, Dorset ME Support Group.

Appointment booking

Once your GP has made a referral to our service you will be given a UBRN number. Please contact the service by emailing dhc.dorset.cfsme@nhs.net or by phone on 01929 557560 and provide us with this number and your contact details. Once we have received these details your referral will be placed under review with our consultant, once your referral has been accepted we will contact you to get you booked in for an appointment. During this time you may receive reminder letters from the Choose and Book Service, please ignore these letters we will not cancel your referral and are working hard to process your referral as quickly as possible.

Where, when and how often are the clinics?

For adults, ME/CFS diagnostic/review clinics are held monthly. Patients can choose face to face, video call or telephone appointments. Face to face appointments are held at Wareham Hospital.

Useful resources

Books

Fighting Fatigue: Managing the Symptoms of CFS/ME (2009)

  • Authors: Sue Pemberton and Catherine Berry
  • Publisher: Hammersmith Press Limited
  • ISBN: 9781905140282
  • Written by a healthcare professional and a person with a lived experience of ME/CFS this book offers guidance into easy-to-follow steps that can be worked through at the readers' own pace.

Websites

The Dorset ME Support Groupa registered charity with over 25 years of experience in helping local people to cope with ME/CFS.

Action for ME: provides lots of information about ME/CFS including advice about benefits, welfare and employment rights, local resources, and information booklets that can be downloaded.

The M.E. Association: a charity providing information about ME/CFS and funding research. They offer a wide range of information leaflets.

How to Conserve Your Energy: practical advice for people recovering from illness or managing long-term health conditions from the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.

Access to Work: an Access to Work grant can pay for practical support if you have a disability, health, or mental health condition to help you:

  • start working
  • stay in work
  • move into self-employment or start a business.

Vocational services: this is an occupational therapy led service covering the whole of Dorset. It’s for people whose long-term health condition is affecting their work options and who also have a work-related (vocational) goal.

Vocational goals could include finding ways to manage health needs in areas such as:

  • retaining current employment and exploring other options
  • returning to paid work, voluntary work or education
  • retraining for employment.

Referral is required by a health professional.

Dorset Pain Management Service ‘Together, we provide a range of services so that we can tailor what we offer to match your clinical and personal needs.  We will support you to develop new skills to understand your body and deal with pain with greater knowledge and confidence. This will help you come to terms with your pain and adopt effective strategies for living life meaningfully’.

Steps to Wellbeingpsychological therapies for persons living in Dorset.  This can include support and courses for patients with long term conditions and employment support. You can self-refer to this service.

Recovery Education CentreFree educational based courses focusing on recovery, wellbeing, and shared learning.  Courses have been designed to empower people to find hope, to see and embrace opportunity through building skills and to gain control by putting these skills into practice.

NHS Musculoskeletal Matters Self-referral

Live well Dorset: ‘we offer friendly, supportive guidance and advice, helping people across Dorset’

Help and Care ‘We are particularly focused on providing support to people living with a long-term health condition, carers and those who are isolated or housebound. What makes us different is our person-centred approach. We understand that each individual has different needs, so we work closely with people to understand what really matters for them and to help them lead independent and fulfilling lives for as long as possible.’

NHS Information

NHS Website: providing an overview of ME/CFS and its management.

National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guideline for ME/CFS: this booklet provides guidance about the care of people with ME/CFS in England and Wales.

Benefits and Entitlements Support Services

Citizen Advice Bureau: Dorset Citizens Advice | Citizens Advice provides free, confidential support and advice to people in Dorset

The You Trust: The YOU Trust - First Point Dorset Integrated prevention and support service.

Incomemax

Diverse Abilities:  01202 518635

Action for ME: 0117 927 9551

ME Association:   0344 576 5326

Government website:

Age UK:

Connection and Samaritans

ME/CFS can sometimes be difficult to live with. You’re not alone, if things get too difficult, please reach out for help.

Connections – a 24/7 helpline open to all ages - call direct on 0800 652 0190 or call NHS 111

Samaritans – call 116 123 if you need someone to talk to, they listen. Website –

Locations

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Wareham - Wareham Hospital)

Office: 01929 557560 Mobile: 07392 194507
Streche Road,
Wareham,
BH20 4QQ

View Map

WiFi: yes

Parking: yes

Disabled Access: yes

Opening Times:

Monday to Friday from 8am-4.30pm

Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays: closed

Messages can be left on the answerphone (01929 557560) out of hours.

Referral by GP

Physical Health