The most severely ill people with ME have nowhere to go, no treatment, no ward, no NHS service.

They are dying and they need help. They need a specialised service to be commissioned now!  

Only one person has the power to set commissioning in motion for an NHS specialised service for the very severe, Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.  This was illustrated by the DHSC ME/CFS Final Delivery Plan published in July 2025 which says, ‘DHSC, with NHS England, will explore whether a specialised service should be prescribed by the Secretary of State for very severe ME/CFS’.  The start of this process has now been pushed back to April 2027.  

Although this mainly affects England it is important for all as the Scottish and Welsh governments have participated in the development of the plan and said that they will consider the Plan’s recommendations in future policy developments. 

Even if the process started today it could take 7 years to produce a service. The very severely ill can’t wait for the many years it takes to set up a new service.  People need support now.  The good news is that this can be set up quickly using the virtual ward model.

If you live in England your local Integrated Care Board (ICB) has the power to set up virtual wards in your area.

A virtual ward allows patients to receive acute, hospital-level care in their own homes, care homes, or hospices rather than a hospital bed. It uses technology—such as apps, wearables, and monitoring devices—combined with regular, multidisciplinary team visits (nurses, doctors, therapists) to monitor conditions, prescribe medication, and provide treatments like oxygen or fluids.

As part of #MillionsMissing 2026 we are asking you to get in touch with your MP and ask them to lobby Wes Streeting MP during ME Awareness Week 11-17th May.

Use our Very Severe Parliamentary Advocacy Guide (we also have a condensed version for those who are too ill to meet in person) and write to your MP and demand two things:

Demand that your MP lobby Wes Streeting MP and urge the immediate commissioning of an NHS specialised service for the most severely ill. Tell them that there is no NHS service for very severe ME patients to be referred to and the decision to set up this service lies with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. 

This service will take years to make a difference even if it is started today so, I you live in England, also ask for:

The immediate setting up of a virtual ward system and inclusion in Integrated Care Boards (ICB) Joint Forward Plans. 

Your MP can lobby your local Integrated Care Board (ICB) for the immediate setting up of a virtual ward system and inclusion in their Joint Forward Plan.

If your MP is willing to help please email admin@meaction.org.uk, we are happy to provide more information.

This campaign is aimed at getting a service set up for the very severely ill but we have not forgotten people who are mild, moderate or severe and will continue working for all people with ME throughout the year.

Stop the harm, Stop the deaths, Start the service.

Let’s make our voices heard!