PATIENTS and GPs are concerned that provision for treating chronic fatigue syndrome in Worcestershire, including Bromsgrove and Droitwich, will dwindle after it was announced the only specialist with an interest in the condition in the county is leaving.

Dr Alastair Miller is the consultant physician and clinical director of medicine at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust who has an interest in ME - also known as chronic fatigue syndrome - and has held a clinic for patients at Kidderminster for a number of years.

Worcestershire ME Support Group has received many message from patients, carers and GPs who are now worried that his departure in May, when he takes on a new role in Liverpool, will leave a huge void.

Group co-ordinator Jill Pigott said: "Local GPs have been in touch with us saying they are struggling to find a local specialist with an interest in ME.

"They often don't know enough about ME to make a diagnosis themselves so send patients to Dr Miller. But people need to be diagnosed so they know how to deal with the condition."

She added: "If Dr Miller is replaced it could take months - in which time there will be no ME provision in the county."

A spokesman for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said Dr Miller's post was being advertised and the job description would say the person needed required experience in the management of CFS/ME.