Irish ME Trust

The Irish ME Trust was established in 1989 to provide information and a counselling service to those affected by ME, as well as to address individual problems on behalf of sufferers.

The organisation works to raise awareness among the general public and the medical profession about the situation of people living with ME in Ireland and contributes to quality biomedical research studies.

Focus Areas

The Irish ME Trust focuses on:

• Providing information and counselling services to people affected by ME
• Addressing individual challenges faced by patients
• Raising awareness among the public and healthcare professionals
• Supporting and contributing to biomedical research

ME is recognised by the organisation as a serious and potentially disabling chronic physical disorder. Approximately 25% of those affected are considered severely disabled, often leaving them housebound or bedbound and dependent on carers for daily needs.

Key Achievements & Recent Initiatives

The organisation emphasises the importance of maintaining ME as a distinct neurological disorder, formally classified by the World Health Organisation in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) since 1969.

It highlights concerns around the renaming of ME to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), noting that broader diagnostic criteria have contributed to inconclusive research outcomes.

The Irish ME Trust supports the use of the Canadian Consensus Document for ME/CFS and encourages the development of patient subgroups in research in order to improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment approaches.

The organisation also recognises that there is currently no specific diagnostic test or universal treatment for ME and emphasises that progress depends on continued high-quality research.

Support for Patients & Families

The Irish ME Trust provides information and counselling services to individuals affected by ME and works to support patients by addressing their individual needs and challenges.

Support for Healthcare Professionals

The organisation promotes biomedical understanding of ME and supports the use of recognised diagnostic criteria, including the Canadian Consensus Document, to improve research and clinical practice.