NICE

The latest ME/CFS guideline was published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in October 2021. This was a landmark moment for people with ME, as it vastly improved on the standard of care that people with ME should receive. It includes key recommendations relating to diagnosis, management, and specific care for those with severe ME and children and young people, and explicitly states that people with ME should not be offered graded exercise therapy (GET) or any exercise that involves fixed incremental increases in activity. 

The guideline does not apply automatically in Scotland and  #MEAction Scotland  have been campaigning since 2021 to get the Scottish Government to implement the recommendations in Scotland. Finally, in May 2025 the Minister for Public Health announced that the NICE guideline should be recognised as the default guideline for Scotland.

The decision to adopt the NICE guideline in Scotland is just the start of our campaign for better care and support for people with ME.  We are continuing to work with the Government and Health Boards to make sure that the key recommendations from the guideline are implemented by health and social care professionals and effective services developed across Scotland.

Our Aims

To completely remove Graded Exercise Therapy (GET) from all treatment of people with ME. It's still being used, but hidden behind new names.

To ensure the 2021 NICE guideline is implemented in Scotland by the Health Boards and NHS Scotland.

To improve care and treatment of ME, especially for the severe and very severe, and end stigma and lack of support.