THE KILKENNY girl suffering from life-threatening scoliosis is recovering in London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital after undergoing major surgery on Saturday morning. The family of Jamie Murphy (11) said “the operation went well” and she is now “doing well and holding her own” after being taken off intensive care life-support systems yesterday afternoon.
Her aunt Triona O’Brien, speaking from London last night, said that doctors had told the family that “the next 72 hours are critical, but they’re amazed by her and how well she’s doing”.
Prayers for the girl’s recovery were said during weekend Masses at Duiske Abbey in her home town of Graiguenamanagh. Jamie Murphy’s case has attracted widespread attention since her parents claimed that they had been unable to access urgent treatment at Crumlin children’s hospital earlier this year.
The HSE, while declining to comment on any individual case, denied that any child has been denied life-saving treatment because of cutbacks. The family took their daughter, who also suffers from Spina Bifida to London where a consultant agreed to treat her. However, because they had not been referred by the NHS, Emer and Peter Murphy, who are both unemployed, faced huge bills. However, an anonymous benefactor stepped in to underwrite the costs.
After the family arrived in London on Thursday, the Irish charity Share a Dream Foundation which “makes individual dreams come true for sick children” had arranged a surprise visit to the West End musical Hairspray and a backstage meeting with the cast. Ms O’Brien said that “Jamie was thrilled” and left “speechless”.