Health chiefs want to introduce a service to help the 350 sufferers of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) in the island - but need to find the funds.

In Tynwald last week, Health Minister Kate Beecroft said a business plan had been put to the Treasury.

Responding to a question from David Ashford (Douglas North), Mrs Beecroft said that ME was a subject close to her heart: ’ME is a long-term illness with a wide range of debilitating symptoms which can have a devastating impact on an individual’s quality of life,’ she said.

’The most common symptom is extreme tiredness.’

She: ’There is currently no comprehensive ME service on the island. The DHSC has been working with the Isle of Man ME Support Group to develop a pathway to support patients with the condition.

’This has led to the development of a business case for an on-island service supported by visiting clinicians from a specialist centre in England.’

She said the department had not been able to find the resources to fund the service, but had submitted a business case to Treasury as part of its overall Budget submission for the next financial year.

Mrs Beecroft accepted ME was not always recognised as a condition. She said 50% of the 350 islanders diagnosed with the condition were diagnosed by a GP, not a consultant. Of those, 260 were mild to moderate sufferers, while 90 were classed as severe.