How to become a patient

The Nightingale Research Foundation’s research into M.E. and CFS and other similar chronic disease syndromes has largely been accomplished by testing and diagnosing M.E. patients from day one of their illness and CFS patients who have been ill for at least six months, and are either undiagnosed or not satisfied with the diagnosis they have received. This research has given NRF the ability to better understand the causes of M.E. and CFS, and to locate and minimize the myriad of physiological impairments caused by the disease process.

NRF accepts about 30-40 new patients each year. These patients undergo extensive interview and testing protocols in order to determine the cause of their illness. This work is usually carried out over a 6-18 month period and in most cases, does require some expenses to be paid by the patient. By the end of six months, we have a good idea of the underlying causes of the patient’s illness. All pathologies or abnormalities are referred to the appropriate specialists for their opinions and treatment as required.

Patients who are not from Ottawa will have to travel there for the primary interview and may need to stay several more days for testing that is not available in their communities. The first day of interview is at least 4-5 hours.

For more information on how to submit an application, please send your request to . You will be given an estimate of the wait time for new patients and the fees involved before we send you an application form. Please include your current mailing address.