VIDEO: Mother's upset over lack of NHS support for her tot
Wednesday, 3.30pm - A MOTHER has blasted the lack of NHS support for children suffering from a common condition.
Wednesday, 3.30pm - A MOTHER has blasted the lack of NHS support for children suffering from a common condition. Seeing her little girl suffering with plagiocephaly, better known as flat head syndrome, Julie Byrne sought the Journal's help to afford treatment.
The Journal Children's Fund stepped in and gave her more than 2,000 to buy a special helmet for nine-month-old tot Kennae, and to help afford travel costs to Leeds for fittings and check-ups at a private clinic.
But Julie, 45, of Green Street, Great Gonerby, feels she should not have had to seek financial help.
She said: "I would like to see the treatment available on the NHS.
"The clinic Kennae's going to in Leeds had lots of photos of children with the same condition, and the technician said it's very common, although Kennae's is the worst case they've seen.
"I feel there should be more done through the NHS to treat it."
The syndrome has left Kennae with a misshapen skull, which Julie hopes the helmet will correct.
She has been wearing it for four weeks and while doctors have noticed a marked improvement already, she still has several months of treatment ahead of her.
When Kennae was born in August she weighed only 3lbs 10oz. Doctors soon realised she was also suffering from torticollis, or wry neck, and dystonia, which causes weakened muscles in the body.
Julie said: "It's a wonder she's still here, she's gone through so much.
"She doesn't mind the helmet, although the warm weather makes her sweat and it's uncomfortable. She wears it for 23 hours a day, taking it off for half an hour in the morning and then half an hour in the evening for a little break."
An NHS spokesman said: "It is very unusual for these helmets to be funded by the NHS. This is a common condition with no evidence of any harm, and minimal evidence of any benefit from the helmets."
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Weather for Grantham
Wednesday 10 March 2010
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C - 7 C
Wind Speed: 10 Knots
Wind direction: North
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