'˜NHS should pay to treat children like my George', urges mum

MUM Bianca-Jade Lippiatt is calling for the introduction of NHS funding to treat the condition that caused her baby son's head to be deformed.
Bianca-Jade Lippiatt with her son George LippiattBianca-Jade Lippiatt with her son George Lippiatt
Bianca-Jade Lippiatt with her son George Lippiatt

Shortly after birth, five-month-old George White was diagnosed with brachycephaly, which caused his head to grow unevenly and be flat on one side.

Now, after paying more than £2,000 for a helmet to gradually reshape George’s head, Bianca-Jade says the treatment should be available on the NHS.

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The 24-year-old from Leigh Park said: ‘George has to wear his helmet for 23 hours each day for the next few months. If he wasn’t wearing it, his head would get a lot worse.

‘The NHS says it doesn’t fund the treatment because it’s only cosmetic, yet you can have a boob job or a nose job funded for you.

‘With this, unless you have a hell of a lot of money to pay for the helmet, a child has to grow up with a funny-shaped head. More needs to be done.’

Known as a Technology in Motion band, George’s helmet was created by a private orthotic firm of the same name.

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As part of George’s treatment, the Lippiatt family must regularly travel to the firm’s closest branch – Godalming in Surrey – where clinicians move the inside of the band to allow even growth.

Steve Mottram, the managing director of Technology in Motion, says conflicting information can confuse parents.

He said: ‘Many GPs diagnose brachycephaly as mild and say it will rectify itself over time. This is not always true – some cases can be severe but are not referred. Visit your nearest clinic if you are worried about your child.’

To pay the cost of the TiM band, Bianca is holding a fun day at St Michael and All Angels’ Church in Dunsbury Way, Havant, on Saturday, November 18 from 10am-4pm.

Visitors can expect food, fun and children’s activities.

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