NHS to review ME services after death of Maeve Boothby O’Neill

The NHS is carrying out an assessment of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) services across England after the death of Maeve Boothby O’Neill, whose case highlighted a lack of understanding and inability to care for sufferers of the illness. 

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), which provides advice to improve healthcare, is also re-examining its guidance on feeding support for people with severe ME. Education of medical professionals about patients, who have often been stigmatised, is also being ramped up.

Andrew Gwynne, the health minister, has committed to better research “with the aim of better understanding the causes, identifying new treatments and improving patient outcomes”.

It comes after the landmark inquest of Boothby O’Neill, who died at the age of 27 in 2021 after suffering from ME since her teenage years. Her case highlighted misunderstandings of ME, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, and the lack of treatment available for severe sufferers.

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Source: The Times, 5 December 2024