PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Health Services (10 October 2024)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for his policies for the (a) care and (b) treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) of the report entitled Maeve Boothby O’Neill: Prevention of Future Deaths Report, published on 8 October 2024.

Asked by:
Dr Ben Spencer (Conservative)

Our deepest sympathies go out to Maeve’s family and friends in this tragic case. Every patient deserves to have their condition understood and treated to the highest standard, and this is a heart-wrenching example of a patient falling through the cracks.

The Department has received a Prevention of Future Deaths (PFD) report, which we are currently reviewing. It is important that we learn the lessons from every PFD report, and we will consider the report carefully before responding appropriately.

We are committed to improving the care and support for all those affected by myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). It is a priority to publish the response to the 2023 consultation on the ME/CFS interim delivery plan. The consultation responses, alongside continued stakeholder engagement, will inform the development of the final delivery plan, which we aim to publish in the winter of 2024/25.

Answered by:
Andrew Gwynne (Labour)
16 October 2024