Lobby for Lyme

On behalf of all people affected by Lyme disease, also known as Lyme borreliosis, and associated tick-borne diseases in the United Kingdom, Lyme Disease Action has been undertaking a parliamentary lobby 'Lobby for Lyme' to raise awareness of Lyme disease and the issues surrounding it with our democratic representatives. What we have done so far.

LDA is workin to alert politicians to the difficulties and injustices that Lyme disease sufferers face, and to the damage this is doing to the otherwise good reputation of the UK's health services.

MPs cannot force medical opinion to change, but they can apply pressure to make the case for Lyme heard.

Lobby for Lyme – Summary

The problem

• Lyme disease is increasing in the UK
• It can be chronic and severe
• It is prone to misdiagnosis and lack of adequate treatment
• It is present across the UK and people don't know about it

The solution

1. Action on Awareness
2. Action on Guidelines
3. Action on Research

We need government action to make this happen

Action on Awareness

We hear a constant stream of unsolicited complaints from the public that their doctors either admit to knowing very little about Lyme disease or rule out the diagnosis on spurious grounds. More effort must be made by health authorities to make doctors and the public aware of the basic facts of Lyme.

Action on Guidelines

The HPA's Lyme Borreliosis Unit currently recommends guidelines published by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. These guidelines have been widely criticised for failing to consider all the available evidence.

We urgently need UK and European guidelines that take account of the full range of scientific evidence and medical opinion.

Action on Research

The bacteria responsible for Lyme disease are the most genetically complex known, by a long way. Recent research has only served to highlight how complex Lyme disease can be and there are too many unanswered questions.

What can you do?

Many of you will have new MPs, and now that we have a new government in place we have a fresh opportunity to push for action on the above points, and for an open and professional dialogue with the health authorities.

We need you and everyone who has been affected by Lyme disease to write to your MPs to tell your stories and to call for action. Go and meet your MP as well they all hold regular surgeries, and there is nothing like a face to face discussion to get the point across.

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