Nicola Sturgeon made her final act as First Minister a promise to ensure brave little Harvey Martin has the spine op that will change his life.
She stepped in to sort out a wee boy’s operation after a heartbreaking video plea. Harvey Martin, nine, recorded the video message to Sturgeon earlier this week begging her to sort out the NHS so he could get an op to end his pain because he “can’t take it any more”.
And yesterday, in her final appearance at Holyrood, Sturgeon said she acted after reading his story and that he would be getting a date for his surgery next week. After hearing the news yesterday, Harvey burst into tears and shouted: “Hallelujah.”
Harvey suffers from an agonising curvature on his spine which requires immediate medical intervention as his ribcage slowly crushes his organs. However, he was told by his doctors that he would have to wait months for treatment due to lengthy waiting lists.
He has already waited since August last year for the operation to straighten his spine which his parents were initially told should be carried out within six weeks. But after the Daily Record reported his plea on Wednesday, Sturgeon stepped in.
At First Minister’s Questions, Labour’s health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie asked what progress Sturgeon had made on Harvey’s case in the fortnight since leader Anas Sarwar raised it. Baillie said: “The First Minister gave a commitment two weeks ago to look into the case of nine-year-old Harvey Martin who has scoliosis and urgently requires surgery.
“Desperate for help, Harvey sent the First Minister a video message and she has not yet replied. So before the First Minister leaves office will she reply to Harvey and help him get the surgery he so desperately needs?”
Sturgeon responded with the news that Harvey had been waiting for, saying: “I have been taking time, rightly, this week to check with NHS Lothian about his case and I can confirm Harvey will be given a date for his procedure very soon. NHS Lothian will be discussing the date with his parents when they speak next week and I wish young Harvey all the very best.”
Harvey’s message said: “Hello, Nicola Sturgeon, I’m Harvey Martin. I’ve been on the waiting list from August for an operation on my spine. I can’t take it any more. I’m in pain constantly, every day. My mum and dad are worried sick about me. If there is anything you could do to help that would be very much appreciated.”
Harvey has neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition which causes growths on the nervous system. The growths have caused scoliosis on his spine and the curve is getting worse. He was diagnosed with scoliosis in 2020 and a year later his curve was measured at 39 degrees. By August last year it had doubled in size to nearly 80 degrees.
After a recent growth spurt his mum believes it has increased again. The curve has meant his fourth and fifth ribs are close to the spinal cord so a lot of the pain he suffers comes from the back of his ribcage, where pressure is being applied to his organs. It means the youngster often has long periods off school because the pain is too great and can make him physically sick.
He can’t enjoy hobbies or meet up with friends and longs to get back to playing as striker for his school team and to go with dad Paul, 51, to his first Celtic match. Paul and mum Natalie, 44, were told if the youngster developed pins and needles or had trouble with his bowels or urine they need to phone an ambulance.
But yesterday Natalie said: “Harvey was speechless at first when we heard and then he burst into tears and shouted, ‘Hallelujah’. We are over the moon. We are all a bit emotional. It has been a long fight. Thank you very much we all appreciate your help.”
Harvey said: “I feel absolutely great. Thank you for writing my story.”
Last night Baillie said: “This is great news for Harvey but he shouldn’t really have had to appeal by video to get the operation he so desperately needs.”
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