133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
22 April 2021
William T Frances
By email:
[FYI request #15017 email]
Ref:
H202103702
Dear Wil iam T Frances
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) on 29 March 2021
for:
“Details on the Ministry of Health's intention to update its stance and propagation of official
information and guidelines regarding Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and its classification,
considering the most recent reference was published in 2004 [0].
The Ministry of Health's current stance toward CFS' classification ("complex il ness" or
"disability" or other), considering the US VA's rating for CFS varies between 10% and
100%, and considering modern research and recent findings that it is not
psychosomatic[1].”
The Ministry of Health (the Ministry) acknowledges the dif iculties that people face with Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).
Please note that the 2004 report that you refer to
Diagnosis and Management of Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) was undertaken by the New Zealand
Guidelines Group (NZGG). The NZGG was an entity independent from the Ministry and was
subsequently disestablished in 2012. While their report remains in the Ministry’s Library
Catalogue, it is not being actively promoted or used to guide services for people with CFS/ME.
More current advice on CFS/ME for the public and clinicians is available on the Health
Navigator website
(www.healthnavigator.org.nsz) which may be of interest to you.
The Ministry itself does not classify CFS/ME and therefore your request for this information is
refused under section 18(e), as the information requested does not exist.
Individuals may wish to contact their local district health board for advice and assistance with
information attaining to services available to them.
Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any
decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at:
[email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely
Nick Allan
Manager, OIA Services
Office of the Director-General
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