Inquest Continues For Woman 27 Who Died From Debilitating ME

Doctors involved in the care of a woman who died from debilitating ME stated they did not believe it was a legitimate medical problem, an inquest heard yesterday.

Maeve Boothby O'Neill, 27, was left bedridden and unable to eat in the final months of her life due to the severity of her myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

Her family believe her death in October 2021 exposed 'a major systemic failing' of the health service to both understand https://lambangcapgiarenhat.com/ and treat severe cases of the condition.

On the second day of the inquest into her death in Exeter, Devon, a medical report about Ms Boothby O'Neill written by her GP was read to the court.

Dr Lucy Shenton was left devastated by her death and felt too traumatised to give evidence in person to the inquest, instead providing written statements.




Maeve Boothby O'Neill, 27, was left bedridden and unable to eat in the final months of her life due to the severity of her myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) 





Sean O'Neill, a journalist for The Times, pictured with her daughter 

The GP told Ms Boothby O'Neill's family she had 'never seen anyone so poorly treated by the NHS as Maeve was'

Her report, written after Ms Boothby O'Neill died, said: 'She became progressively less able to function, firstly only able to get out of bed to use the commode then becoming entirely bedbound, unable to sit up, and later unable to eat.

'Maeve had three admissions to address this. She was unable to tolerate NG feeding as it also exacerbated her symptoms. Maeve stopped eating on 20/08/21 shortly after her last admission.

'She continued to have sugary water fed to her by her mother to maintain her fluid intake.

'Maeve had capacity to decline hospital admissions. It was felt there were no other significant problems, specifically no evidence of underlying mental illness or an eating disorder.




Despite being admitted three times to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (pictured), Ms Boothby O'Neill was discharged each time and sent home

'I am reporting this death due to the complexity of the case. There is currently no guidance about the management of severe ME.

'Several doctors involved in her care stated they do not believe ME is a medical problem. I do not feel I can put down Myalgic Encephalomyelitis on her death certificate without raising this for your personal attention.'

The GP said Ms Boothby O'Neill's mother Sarah Boothby felt that the medical team did not believe she could die from ME and failed to develop a treatment plan.

She added in her report that Ms Boothby hoped ME is recognised as potentially fatal so the medical profession will be more inclined to actively support and manage similar patients.

The two-week inquest continues.