UPDATE: A desperate plea from a Glasgow mother is intensifying as she urges the NHS to transfer her six-year-old daughter, Brie McCann, to London for urgent heart surgery. Jodie McCann stated that “everything is too little, too late,” highlighting the critical need for her daughter to be positioned at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) as soon as possible to await a life-saving donor.
Brie, who has been enduring treatment at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children since July 1, 2023, suffers from Ebstein’s anomaly, a rare heart condition that hampers blood flow through a vital valve. Her situation has deteriorated significantly over the past week, prompting her family to push for an immediate transfer to GOSH.
If Brie remains in Glasgow when a donor becomes available, she would require an air ambulance to reach London, a process her mother describes as a “barrier” to her receiving the essential transplant. Jodie expressed her family’s devastation after a transplant opportunity fell through just weeks ago, leaving them feeling hopeless.
“They said they couldn’t accommodate that and just sent us back up the road,” Jodie lamented, recalling the moment when they were prepared for surgery but were turned away. Despite assurances that Brie would be transferred back to London swiftly after being reinstated on the transplant list, her family is left grappling with uncertainty.
Just this past Monday, during a meeting that Jodie believed was to finalize Brie’s transfer, she was informed her daughter would remain in Glasgow. “I thought the meeting was to discuss getting us down to GOSH and proceed,” Jodie stated. She believes that being in London would eliminate the travel barrier, allowing for timely medical intervention when a donor is found.
As Brie’s condition worsens, her family is increasingly alarmed. Jodie conveyed her fears, saying, “Everything is too little, too late now… It’s really hard seeing her like that. She’s really struggling to even move her limbs now, and a week ago she was dancing around.”
In response to the family’s concerns, a spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde acknowledged the distressing situation, stating, “We fully recognise this is an extremely challenging time for the family. We are working closely with Great Ormond Street Hospital and continue to provide Brie with the best possible care locally.”
Meanwhile, GOSH officials emphasized that Brie is currently receiving equivalent care in Glasgow. “We are monitoring her condition very closely,” they stated, assuring that they are collaborating with local health services to provide comprehensive support.
The family’s supporters have rallied, writing to officials to emphasize the urgency of Brie’s situation. Jodie remains hopeful yet anxious, urging for a swift resolution. “Let’s get her transferred while she’s stable instead of waiting until the last minute,” she implored.
As this heart-wrenching story unfolds, the McCann family is left waiting for a breakthrough that could save Brie’s life. The community is closely watching, hoping for a rapid response from the NHS that could bring them closer to the vital transplant they are desperately seeking.
With every moment counting, the urgency for action is palpable as Brie’s family continues to fight for her future.
