Patients of HCJ with Fibromyalgia / ME / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

​​Request 824580856

How many people who have Fibromyalgia / ME / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are patients of HCJ and in what department are they supported?

Response

Chronic fatigue syndrome / myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME):

As noted in a Freedom of Information response published to www.gov.je in January 2026, there is no database of the cohort of patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis or post-viral fatigue syndrome) who receive care through Health and Care Jersey (HCJ) outpatient services, nor are there clinics dedicated to this condition. Therefore, Article 3 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 applies.

gov.je/government/freedomofinformation/pages/foi.aspx?ReportID=9149​

Chronic fatigue syndrome may be diagnosed and managed through GP services or other tertiary care centres without the involvement of HCJ. Though the condition is classified by the World Health Organisation as a neurological condition, once a diagnosis has been made, care will seldom involve a Neurologist; a multi-disciplinary approach to care may be provided through physiotherapists, occupational therapists and clinical nurse specialists. GPs may refer people with symptoms to HCJ for investigations to be carried out to assist in diagnosis.

Fibromyalgia:

There is no database of the cohort of patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia who receive care through Health and Care Jersey (HCJ), nor are there clinics dedicated to this condition. Therefore, Article 3 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 applies.

GPs may refer people with symptoms to HCJ for investigations to be carried out to assist in diagnosis. Fibromyalgia may be diagnosed through the GP or by a Rheumatologist. Care is generally managed by the GP, though they may refer patients to specialist services for treatment, such as pain management or physiotherapy.

Article applied

Article 3 Meaning of “information held by a public authority” 

For the purposes of this Law, information is held by a public authority if – (a) it is held by the authority, otherwise than on behalf of another person; or (b) it is held by another person on behalf of the authority.​