Glasgow mum pleads for daughter to be transferred to London hospital before it's 'too late'

A Glasgow mum is calling for her severely ill daughter, who requires a heart transplant, to be transferred to a specialist hospital in London before it’s “too late”.

Brie McCann, from Robroyston, was born with Ebstein’s anomaly – a rare condition that affects the flow of blood through a valve in the heart.

As her condition has deteriorated, her case was referred to specialists at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

At the specialist hospital, the six-year-old was due to undergo her first of two operations in December 2024, however they were cancelled at the last minute due to complications.

Brie’s parents, Jodie and Gary were told by consultants that Brie’s only option was a full transplant. In October, the family were told that a donor had been found for the schoolgirl.

She was once again taken to London, but the transplant operation was cancelled due to the risks being too high. The six-year-old was returned to Glasgow where she has been an inpatient since July.

Jodie told STV News: “We were taken by air ambulance down to London and blue lighted to Great Ormond Street. They got us there in a really fast time.

“I got the phone call to say there was a donor at 3.30pm, and by 8pm, we were in the hospital in London.

“She was given pre-med, all gowned up, in the anaesthetic room, ready to go into theatre, and it fell through. It was just devastating. You know these things can happen, but you never think it’s going to be you.

“I asked to stay down in Great Ormond Street and I was told no, because we didn’t know how much longer we were going to have to wait.“

Brie McCann has been an in-patient at Glasgow since July. Supplied

On Friday, the family were told that plans were being discussed to transfer Brie back to Great Ormond Street to ensure that she is in the right place if a donor becomes available, but this did not go ahead.

The terminally ill child’s condition continues to deteriorate, with the schoolgirl facing being put on an ECMO machine, which temporarily takes over the work of the lungs and heart.

However, Jodie is pleading with doctors for her daughter to be taken to London before being placed on the machine.

Brie McCann celebrated her sixth birthday in hospital. Supplied

The mum added: “It’s imperative that we get to London because I don’t want the travelling being a barrier. I don’t want Glasgow to keep being the middleman because I feel like they’re always consulting GOSH for answers.“

Jodie says her family has been left “numb” by her daughter’s health “rollercoaster” over the last few weeks. She described the conversation regarding the care of her “wee trooper” as a “real mental struggle”.

The mum believes getting Brie to Great Ormond Street, with the hopes of the six-year-old receiving a vital heart transplant, needs to happen sooner rather than later.

She said: “I just want Great Ormond Street to get her down there as soon as possible and give her a chance.

“I know that they can’t guarantee a transplant, and I know at this point it’s probably going to be an adult donor because paediatric donors are few and far between.

“I obviously get that as a mum. But we need to get her down there before because it is just too late.“

Great Ormond Street Hospital has confirmed they are monitoring Brie’s situation “very closely” and that she is currently receiving the same treatment in Glasgow as she would in London.

A spokesperson said: “We see every day how difficult it is for the children and their families who are waiting for a transplant.

“At present, Brie is receiving the same care in Glasgow as she would be at GOSH and we are monitoring her condition very closely to ensure she receives the support she needs.

“We continue to work closely with our colleagues at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to provide the best possible care for Brie while she waits for a suitable heart to become available.”

A NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spokesperson said: “We fully recognise this is an extremely challenging and distressing time for the family.

“We are working closely with Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and continue to provide Brie with the best possible care locally, while ensuring her family is involved and supported throughout this very difficult time.”