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ME/CFS South Australia Inc supports the needs of sufferers of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and related illnesses. We do this by providing services and information to members.
Disclaimer
ME/CFS South Australia Inc aims to keep members informed of various research projects, diets, medications, therapies, news items, etc. All communication, both verbal and written, is merely to disseminate information and not to make recommendations or directives.
Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed on this Web site are not necessarily the official views of the Society or its Committee and are not simply an endorsement of products or services.
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Letter to the Libs
Tuesday 20 November 2007
Polly Chaser Patsy Harmsen wrote to theLiberal Partyyesterday and is now awaiting a response.
Here is Patsy’s letter:
November 19th, 2007
Dear David and Vanessa, Australian Liberal Party
Re: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ME/CFS
In Tasmania there is no ME/CFS support team, as in other states of Australia. In the recent past it has been staffed by one person, a chronic fatigue sufferer, with no energy resources. The most active on line support seems to be provided by the one in South Australia. It is administered entirely by volunteers, most of whom are sufferers or family members of sufferers, and financed entirely by membership fees and donations. They are all volunteers. There is no energy for fundraising. Neither is there any contribution from government at any level.
The support group in Victoria sent letters to all sitting Victorian and Tasmanian members of Federal Parliament. Responses to date of both major parties have not been satisfactory answers and were almost identical.
At a forum of federal candidates for Franklin I attended in Kingston last week, I gave each candidate an opportunity to address the inadequacies of the current system. I hoped that by so doing I could help raise the awareness of at least these candidates (especially should they be elected).
Only candidates from parties outside of Liberal and Labor sought to talk with me afterwards. I had a written response from Gerard Velnaar, federal candidate for the Greens Party.
What do the ME/CFS Societies want to see during 2007/08?
| • | Official recognition by the Department of Health and Aging that ME/CFS is a ‘disability’. |
| • | Improved Australian diagnosis and management of ME/CFS through the use of the Canadian ME/CFS Consensus Clinical Guidelines. |
| • | Provision of funds and access to expert resources to improve support services to ME/CFS sufferers and their carers, to fund research into ME/CFS, and to raise awareness within the community on management and prevention strategies. |
| • | Provision of funds for core funding for a Research and Reference Centre to study all aspects of Q fever and rickettsial infections and associated post infection chronic fatigue syndromes by Professor Barrie Marmion AO, Q Fever Research Group & Professor Stephen Graves, Australian Rickettsial Laboratory, Hunter Area Pathology Service University of Newcastle. |
| • | Consideration for extra funding for the Menzies Centre’s Immunology Division who have had some research projects involved in this area. |
Could you please outline for me the steps you and your party will be taking in the new Parliament to assist this hugely disadvantaged group of electors and their families.
Yours Sincerely
Patsy Joan Harmsen
[address supplied]
You can download the letter:
 |
Letter to the Liberal Party (PDF, 21KB) |
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Registered Charity 3104
Email:
sacfs@sacfs.asn.au
Mailing address:
PO Box 322,
Modbury North,
South Australia 5092
Phone:
1300 128 339
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday,
10am - 4pm
(phone)