“We found that, throughout the health care system and in society at large, there is:
•a lack of recognition of the seriousness and severity of these conditions
•a profound shortage of knowledgeable care providers
•a dearth of clinical tools to support and guide care
•a discouraging shortage of services and supports for people living with these conditions
•an absence of support for family caregivers.
The lack of knowledge and appropriate accessible care has devastating effects on Ontarians struggling with ME/CFS, FM and ES/MCS.
…
For those living with ME/CFS, FM and ES/MCS, the lack of recognition of these serious and debilitating conditions is as harmful as the lack of treatments. …
We urge the Minister to act now to raise awareness of these conditions and address the barriers that keep people with ME/CFS, FM and ES/MCS from getting the care and services they need.”
…
From the press release:
IMPROVING CARE FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS
Release of Interim Report Looks at Hard-to-Diagnose Conditions
September 29, 2017
Ontario is releasing a report that recommends improving the understanding and recognition of environmental health conditions such as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and environmental sensitivities/multiple chemical sensitivity.
The interim report, Time for Leadership: Recognizing and Improving Care, was produced by the Task Force on Environmental Health.
Its recommendations focus on three key areas:
research, education and care to improve supports for people in Ontario living with environmental health conditions.
The province is currently reviewing the task force’s recommendations and is renewing the funding for a fellowship in Clinical Environmental Health at the University of Toronto to expand clinical expertise in this domain.