A 10-year-old girl’s spinal condition has become inoperable after her planned surgery was canceled seven times in six months, her mother claims.
Eva Tennent suffers from Rett syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects brain development, and has advanced scoliosis that causes her spine to twist and bend to the side.
Her spinal curvature was 60.89 degrees in May 2022, increased to 107.9 degrees last year and is now at 110 degrees. Her mother, Jill Lockhart, told BBC News.
Lockhart said her daughter had surgery scheduled seven times since last September, but it was canceled each time.
She claimed three of her operations at the Edinburgh Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) had been postponed due to staff shortages, while the most recent cancellations were due to her daughter’s poor respiratory health, which she said was a result of the delay at the operation. . She last had surgery on March 28.
Lockhart told the BBC: “She was deemed operable in September, October and November – and they were only canceled due to a shortage of beds and nurses.
“They left it for so long, and now they say it’s too late. It feels like my daughter’s chances of survival have been sacrificed.”
“Last week we were told that the operation could go ahead. Now we are told that she cannot be operated on and I cannot get a good explanation from the hospital as to why this situation has changed so quickly.
“If Eva were to undergo this operation, she could live with her condition for another fifteen to thirty years. Without this she could die.”
Last year, a BBC Disclosure investigation into NHS Scotland revealed claims that nurse shortages at the Edinburgh RHCYP contributed to some children waiting up to three times longer than before the pandemic for spine surgery.
Tracey Gillies, the medical director of NHS Lothian, said: “We do not comment on individual members of staff. If a doctor were off work for any reason, patients and their families would be told if this affected their care and their case would be assigned to another surgeon as soon as possible – especially if it was time sensitive .
“In the case of a specialist service, it may often be necessary to contact the nearest center to ensure the patient receives the appropriate care. NHS Lothian has been providing the Scottish National Spinal Service since 2005 and we continue to work closely with National Services Scotland.
“We do not discuss individual patients without their consent and we urge all patients and their families to contact us directly to discuss their concerns and questions about their care.
“We know that rescheduling elective procedures can be very distressing for our patients and their families. We sincerely apologize to those affected, especially those who have been rescheduled a number of times.
“We have been open and honest about the significant pressures being experienced across our healthcare system and their negative impact on elective procedures and waiting times.”