Family in crisis as girl awaits heart transplant

A Glasgow family is confronting an intense crisis while waiting for a life-saving heart transplant for their five-year-old daughter, Brie McCann. Her parents are urgently seeking to have her transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London before her condition deteriorates too severely for travel.

Brie suffers from Ebstein's anomaly, a rare congenital heart defect affecting the tricuspid valve, and has spent the past four months at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow. Her family reports receiving conflicting guidance from medical teams about where she should be treated, though both Glasgow and London hospitals emphasize they are coordinating care to support her.

Scotlands Health Secretary, Neil Gray, confirmed he has contacted both hospitals to clarify the situation for the family and ensure the right steps are being taken for Brie's treatment.

Originally, Brie was scheduled for surgery at Great Ormond Street last December. Her parents, Jodie and Gary, traveled to London for the procedure, only to be told she was too unwell for surgery. In March, the family urgently appealed for assistance, citing that "time is running out." Brie was subsequently prioritized for a heart transplant and admitted for full-time care in Glasgow as her condition worsened.

Family friend Andy McMahon described Brie as a "fighter" during her hospital stay. He explained that her condition is rapidly declining, with severe difficulty eatingshe relies on a permanent feeding tube, and even small meals are celebrated by her family as milestones.

Brie was recently transferred to Great Ormond Street for a potential transplant, but the surgery could not proceed as the donor heart was unsuitable. Great Ormond Street and Newcastle are the only hospitals in the UK performing heart transplants on children.

Ebstein's anomaly impacts blood flow through the heart, causing symptoms such as breathlessness, persistent coughing, fatigue, dizziness, and an enlarged liver and heart. These complications have left Brie struggling daily, while her parents and her three-year-old brother Oran try to cope with the ongoing stress.

McCanns family is frustrated by the inconsistent communication between Glasgow and London medical teams. Decisions about transferring Brie have been reversed multiple times, causing additional anxiety over whether she will be too unwell to receive a transplant when a heart becomes available.

Andy McMahon highlighted the challenges: The clinical teams in Glasgow and London have differing opinions on whats best for Brie. One moment, Glasgow insists she should go to London; the next, London says she receives equivalent care locally. The family fears losing the chance for life-saving treatment.

The family describes the situation as a "worst possible calamity," noting the difficulties in getting timely responses from hospital contacts, emails, and phone numbers provided for families on transplant lists.

Great Ormond Street Hospital stated that Brie is receiving care equivalent to what she would get in London and that her condition is being closely monitored. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde echoed this, emphasizing their ongoing collaboration with London to provide the best local care while supporting the family.

Health Secretary Neil Gray expressed deep concern for the McCann family, acknowledging the confusing communication and urging all involved to ensure Brie receives the urgent treatment she needs.

Author: Logan Reeves