UPDATE: A Glasgow mother is urgently pleading with the NHS to transfer her six-year-old daughter, Brie McCann, to London for a life-saving heart transplant. Jodie McCann warns that “everything is too little, too late” as her daughter’s condition deteriorates rapidly, making immediate action crucial.
Brie, who has been hospitalized since July 2023 due to Ebstein’s anomaly, a rare heart defect, faces increasing health risks while awaiting a donor. Jodie insists that relocating Brie from Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) is vital so she can be ready for surgery as soon as a donor is identified.
Currently, if a donor becomes available while Brie remains in Glasgow, she will require an air ambulance transfer to London, a situation Jodie describes as a significant barrier to her receiving the necessary and urgent care. The family is now in a state of desperation, especially after a previous transplant opportunity fell through just moments before surgery.
“We were devastated,” Jodie stated. “I wanted to stay down in Great Ormond Street as I knew traveling the distance could be a barrier for her, but they said they couldn’t accommodate that and just sent us back up the road.”
After being temporarily removed from the transplant list due to complications with her PICC line, Brie was reinstated just last week. Her family believed she would be transferred to London quickly, but a recent meeting revealed she would remain in Glasgow, receiving the same local care.
“I thought the meeting was to discuss getting us down to GOSH and proceed,” Jodie explained, expressing her frustration over the lack of communication regarding her daughter’s urgent needs. “We were led to believe we would be transferred as soon as possible when she showed improvement.”
As Brie’s health worsens, her family is advocating tirelessly for her immediate transfer. Friends of the family have also reached out to officials to amplify their urgent plea. Jodie fears that delays could have devastating consequences for her daughter.
“Everything is too little too late now,” she said. “We’ve been told to start having difficult conversations, and it’s really hard seeing her like this. 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, assuring that they are collaborating closely with GOSH to provide the best local care for Brie while ensuring her family is supported during this challenging time.
A representative from GOSH commented, “We see every day how difficult it is for the children and their families who are waiting for a transplant. Currently, Brie is receiving the same care in Glasgow as she would at GOSH, and we are monitoring her condition very closely.”
The urgency of Brie’s situation cannot be overstated. As her health continues to decline, her family remains hopeful for a swift transfer that could save her life. Time is of the essence, and every moment counts in this critical battle for Brie’s future.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as the family fights for Brie’s immediate transfer to Great Ormond Street Hospital.
