Bedfordshire Chronic Fatigue Service
What do we offer?
Bedfordshire Chronic Fatigue Service provides multi-disciplinary assessment, diagnosis and treatment for people living in Bedfordshire with medically unexplained fatigue as their main symptom. For people registered with Luton GPs, referrals can only be accepted once funding has been agreed.
What do we do?
We help clients to understand and manage their symptoms so that they can have a better quality of life and engage in activities which are most meaningful to them. For those who do not receive a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome, the team will we offer advice and signpost to more appropriate services. This service offers NICE recommended Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Graded Exercise Therapy (GET).
Who We Are
Our team consists of:
• Medical Physician
• Physiotherapists
• Occupational Therapist
• CBT Therapist
• Clinical Psychologist
• Assistant Psychologist
In addition, we can offer advice and liaison for work and study difficulties
As of 2019, as well as one to one treatment, we hope to introduce some small group interventions and we will be piloting a Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy group, with a view to rolling this out as an additional treatment option.
Treatment sessions are offered at 2 locations Dunstable and Bedford. We offer up to 12 fortnightly 50 minute sessions. Clients need to be able to get to appointments, although we are flexible and can provide some sessions via telephone.
We also provide 3 and 6 month follow up review sessions to enable clients to problem solve any difficulties and build on improvements made. We welcome input from partners/carers if clients wish and always try to guide and support them in their caring role.
We are also happy to provide advice and consultation to other health professionals to assist them in the management of their patients living with fatigue. Please call or email (details below).
Our assessments take place at our central base:
Bedfordshire Chronic Fatigue Service
Disability Resource Centre
Poynters House
Poynters Road
Dunstable
LU5 4TP
Hours of operation
The service operates Monday to Friday 09:00-16:00.
Voicemail can be left if no staff are available and we will respond as soon as possible.
How to contact service
Tel: 01582 470918
beds.cfs@nhs.net
We only take referrals from Bedfordshire GPs who include the blood results listed below completed within the last 6 months. It is important to also give details of any other medical or psychological history. You can send your referral by post or by email
Referral Criteria
The principal symptom is fatigue
The patient is aged 16 years or above
Individuals are neither significantly underweight (BMI < 18) or overweight (BMI > 40)
Patients are not abusing alcohol or illegal drugs
The fatigue is persistent or relapsing and is present for at least 50% of the time
The fatigue has a definite onset, is not lifelong, and has been present for at least 4 months
There are associated symptoms such as joint/muscle pain, reduced memory and concentration, disturbed and un-refreshing sleep
The fatigue is having substantial impact on daily activities
The fatigue cannot be medically explained and all reasonable efforts have been made to exclude alternative diagnoses, both physical and mental
Patients are able to travel to and from outpatient clinic
Test Result Checklist
The following should have been undertaken in the last six months and a copy of the results included with your referral. Please note - these tests are essential and if we do not receive the results with your referral we cannot proceed.
Urine tests: Urinalysis for Protein, Glucose and Blood
Blood tests: FBC, U&E (including Creatinine), LFT, TFT, ESR, CRP, RBG, Coeliac Screen /gluten sensitivity, Calcium, Creatine Kinase.
In younger adults: Additionally Ferritin
Other tests to consider, only if indicated for other reasons:
Ferritin, B12, Folate, (eg, in macrocytosis)
Serology testing (such as HIV, Hep B/C)
Acute viral infections : EBV / CMV / Infectious Mononucleosis / Toxoplasmosis
Imaging
If electrolyte imbalance, consider 8am Cortisol
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