By Staff Reporter
Fibromyalgia has finally been recognised as a long-term condition in Northern Ireland.
The illness, which mainly affects women, causes pain all over the body and can be difficult to diagnose.
An Alliance MLA warned that without further health service reforms, victims would still not get the treatment they need.
Paula Bradshaw was speaking after the Patient and Client Council announced new pathways for sufferers, which will outline what services are available for them, including medication or advice around exercise and alternative therapies.
The South Belfast MLA said: “There is already a postcode lottery for services for many long-term conditions, with some trusts allocating significantly more resources to specialist care and support than others.
“The concern now is that the same will happen with fibromyalgia and many people will still not, in fact, be able to access the vital services they need.”
