ME care reforms promised after woman’s tragic death
Woman’s death exposes need for ME care reforms
- The UK government has pledged to overhaul care for individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), acknowledging that many currently struggle to access appropriate support.
- This commitment follows the death of 27-year-old Maeve Boothby-O’Neill, who died from severe malnutrition due to ME, prompting a coroner to highlight systemic issues.
- The inquest into Miss Boothby-O’Neill's death revealed a critical lack of specialist beds, “extremely limited” training for doctors, and insufficient funding for ME/CFS research and treatment.
- The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is set to publish a new plan outlining steps to improve patient care, including new training for NHS staff and investment in research.
- While public health minister Ashley Dalton welcomed the plan, the charity Action for ME criticised it for not going “far enough,” advocating for a dedicated, funded research hub to find treatments and cures.