Shropshire mother fears for her ME-stricken son after ruling

A Shropshire mother fears her 20-year-old son - who is bedridden with the chronic illness ME and has to be spoon fed - could die after health chiefs refused to send him for treatment at a specialist unit.

Diana Newcombe, of Clunton near Craven Arms, lost an appeal to the Shropshire County Primary Care Trust this week.

Mrs Newcombe wanted her son Oliver to receive treatment at a dedicated inpatient unit in Romford, Essex, which would cost about £5,000 a week.

But Shropshire County Primary Care Trust (PCT) is instead suggesting referral to a behavioural psychologist in Birmingham.

Mrs Newcombe said today: "I am so angry and completely at a loss as to what on earth will happen to Oliver.

"At the very least, he will cost the Shropshire health service tens of thousands of pounds during the next year or so, with doctor's visits, healthcare, respite care, specialist help, maybe hundreds of thousands of pounds if he becomes hospital bound.

"If he dies, aged 20, from complications resulting from ME does the primary care trust imagine I will accept this lightly?"

Fatigue

ME(myalgic encepha­lom­y­elitis/encephalopathy) is a complex illness and symptoms include severe fatigue or exhaustion, problems with memory and concentration, and muscle pain.

Oliver, who was studying environmental engineering at university, fell ill with the flu about a year ago.

He remained unwell and was later diagnosed as having ME. His condition has continued to deteriorate.

Mrs Newcombe claimed there could be no reason for refusing treatment at Romford other than money.

"I think Oliver is going to die," she said."

Dr Julie Davies, head of contracting and performance at Shropshire County PCT said: "The panel reviewed an application to fund care at a specialist inpatient Chronic Fatigue Syndrome centre in Essex, but this type of care is not routinely funded."