The first case of its kind in Scotland has been launched against NHS Grampian by the mother of an 11-year-old Aberdeenshire girl with long Covid. Helen Goss is seeking damages on behalf of her daughter, Anna Hendy, claiming multiple failings by the health board in Anna’s treatment and care. The claims, which include allegations that requests for Anna to be referred to the specialist paediatric services of immunology and neurology were refused, and that no further help was offered after Anna was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS), could have been avoided if NHS Grampian followed contemporary guidance on diagnosis and treatment and caused Anna “injury and damage”, and led to her condition worsening.
Anna became severely unwell after initially having a mild case of Covid when she was seven and has been unable to return to school, needs the use of a wheelchair, and is often confined to her bed. Anna’s mother said she wants the health board to admit that they have failed in their duty of care by not training up their staff to appropriately diagnose and treat patients with long Covid.
Catherine McGarrell, of Thompsons Solicitors, which is representing Ms Goss, said: “It isn’t a case of she wouldn’t have contracted long Covid, it’s the care in treating the long Covid that’s made it worse. After years of completely avoidable failings from the NHS, all Anna needed was someone to take accountability and to start getting the treatment she needs.” She added that it’s “unfortunate the family are now having to take legal action against NHS Grampian to get the care Anna needs, but they’ve been left with no other choice.”
The health board has said it was in the process of creating a new treatment pathway for children affected by the condition. A new website allowing families to share their experiences of the disease is also in development. A spokesperson said: “NHS Grampian has a Long Covid Project Board and a Long Covid Paediatric Steering Group which help to inform our work. We also now have a paediatric long Covid practitioner as well as a paediatric clinical lead for long Covid. Children who are suffering with symptoms are managed by the appropriate clinicians according to their needs.
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