Tue Sep 17 05:21:57 UTC 2024: ## Leeds Doctor with Long Covid and ME Denounces Lack of NHS Support

**Leeds, UK** – A doctor from Leeds who developed long Covid and ME has spoken out about the inadequate support provided by the NHS for patients suffering from these debilitating conditions, claiming they have been “left to rot.”

Dr. Becky Williams, 34, contracted Covid-19 in March 2020 and has been housebound ever since, experiencing extreme fatigue, brain fog, and pain. Dr. Williams, who has lost her job, friends, and independence, joined over 200 other healthcare workers in signing a letter calling on the government to improve care for patients with long Covid and ME.

Dr. Williams initially developed long Covid but later met the criteria for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Both conditions share many overlapping features and are often triggered by viral or bacterial infections.

With an estimated 250,000 people in the UK suffering from ME, the ME Association believes the actual number is likely much higher. The condition affects multiple systems within the body and can lead to symptoms like fatigue, flu-like malaise, and extreme light and sound sensitivity. In severe cases, patients are bedridden, tube-fed, and confined to darkened rooms, with little support.

Dr. Williams said she feels neglected and unheard by the healthcare system. She believes the campaign, organized by #ThereforME, will give a voice to those severely affected and often left unheard.

The Department of Health and Social Care responded by stating their commitment to improving care for patients with long Covid, ME, and CFS, acknowledging the devastating impact these conditions have on individuals and families. They also announced their support for high-quality research into the causes, consequences, and treatment of ME/CFS and long Covid.

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