BACME

The British Association for CFS/ME (BACME) is a multidisciplinary organisation for professionals in the UK who are "involved in the evidence-based management of patients with CFS/ME". BACME has a close relationship with the UK CMRC.

Aims
BACME states that its purpose is to "promote and support the delivery of evidence-based treatment for children, young people, and adults with CFS/ME in the UK".

BACME Executive
The BACME Executive included the following members in 2018
 * Gabrielle Murphy (Chair), Christine Oliver (Treasurer), Zoe Clyde, Kelly Morris, Jenny McClure, Susan Brennan, Caroline Day, Tessa Carder, Mike Nutt, Ceri Rutter, Deb Roberts, George Hampson, Helen Ayres, Sara Young, Kirsty Northcot, Charlie Adler, Debbie Smith, Colette Foster, Anne McArdle, Gina Wall, Nicola Dawson, Amy Smith, Rachael Rogers, Mandy Neophytou, Vikki Eglinton, Natalie Gadsby, Nicky Patterson, Lynsey Cobane, Sheena Spence, Anne Abey, Deborah Renwick, Lynsey Woodman, Anne Cossins, Helen Clucas, Wilma Hudson, Nikki Perry, Jo Robert, Claire Moss, Mike Beadsworth.

The BACME Executive aims to have representatives from each of the following professions:
 * clinical psychologists
 * dieticians
 * GPs
 * liaison psychiatrists
 * doctors
 * nurses
 * occupational health practitioners
 * occupational therapists
 * physiotherapists
 * or other primary care workers

According to the constitution, the BACME aims to have representatives in each of the following areas: Northern, North, East & West Yorkshire, Liverpool & Mersey, Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire & North Derbyshire, East Midlands, West Midlands & Birmingham, East Anglia, North London & Essex & Sussex & Hertfordshire, South West London & Surrey (Sutton), Dorset & Hampshire & Isle of Wight, Avon & Wiltshire & Somerset, South-West Peninsula (Cornwall and Devon).

BACME Members
In 2018, BACME reported that it had 131 members. The current Chair of BACME is Gabrielle Murphy. Other notable members include Esther Crawley, who both presented at the BACME 2018 annual conference, PACE trial author Lucy V Clark, and NICE guidelines review committee members Gabrielle Murphy and Mike Beadsworth.

Membership is open to clinicians and researchers, including psychologists, medical doctors, managers, students and physiotherapists.

BACME influence on NHS and NICE
The BACME were stakeholders in the 2007 and 2017 NICE guidelines consultations. The Guideline Development Group (GDG) that produced the 2007 NICE guidelines included Esther Crawley, who was BACME Chair.

The current NICE guidelines review group, due to publish the revised guidelines in 2021, includes BACME executive member Mike Beadsworth and current Chair Gabrielle Murphy, and may include other BACME members.

Biopsychosocial model
BACME promotes the controversial NICE guidelines, which strongly recommend Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Graded Exercise Therapy, both of which are very unpopular with patients.

Contact details

 * Website

Learn more


Therapy and Symptom Management Guide - BACME