Desperate Plea for Assistance
An inquest revealed the heartbreaking story of a 27-year-old woman, Maeve Boothby-O’Neill, who suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and tragically passed away a few months after urgently requesting her GP for adequate nourishment to sustain her life.
Struggles with Health
Ms. Boothby-O’Neill, who had progressively weakened to the point of being unable to feed herself starting from March of that year, reached out to her doctor, Lucy Shenton, in June 2021 for assistance with providing food as she was hungry and desperately in need of nourishment.
Her deteriorating condition led to significant struggles as she was bedridden and reliant on her mother for care.
Deteriorating Health
By July, her health had declined to the point where she could no longer read, watch television, or actively engage in conversations, only being able to get out of bed for essential activities like using the toilet, according to medical records.
Tragically, Ms. Boothby-O’Neill passed away at her home in Exeter in October 2021, prompting an inquest to examine the care she received from the beginning of that year until her untimely death.
Repeated Hospital Admissions
Despite being admitted three times to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Ms. Boothby-O’Neill was discharged after each visit and sent back home.
Her struggles with fatigue started at the age of 13, worsening after completing her A-levels, which subsequently hindered her ability to lead a normal life due to ongoing fatigue.
Mother’s Concerns
Expressing her dismay at the treatment her daughter received, Sarah Boothby wrote a letter to the GP practice manager in April 2021 questioning the adequacy of care provided.
She highlighted the challenges and urgency of caring for her daughter who was incapacitated and emphasized the necessity for a clear plan regarding hydration, nourishment, and other essential needs.
The inquest is ongoing and is expected to span two weeks.