NHS cuts: Brave Ben, 11, asks David Cameron why his operation won't be paid for
A brave youngster with a debilitating condition has penned a second letter to David Cameron demanding answers to why his NHS funding was snatched away.
Ben Baddeley, 11, suffers from cerebral palsy, had undergone two years of preparation to have a life-changing operation in February 2014.
But just days before he was set to go under the knife, his parents Amy and Gary received a letter saying his £24,000 op wouldn't be paid for.
After suffering in agony for months as he was deprived of pain-relief drugs, he finally got his operation in July 2014, thanks to the huge fundraising efforts of his friends and family.
The car-mad youngster has been getting hydrotherapy treatment with H20 Physio in Wombourne and physiotherapy at Matthew Farrow Privilege Health Clinic in Compton Road, Wolverhampton, though sessions can only continue with tireless fundraising efforts of the youngster and his family.
He wrote to the PM last month, asking why his funding was slashed, but wasn't given any answers.
Cameron's response read: "Dear Ben, Thank you for your letter. I was very sorry to read that your operation was cancelled by the NHS but pleased to learn that you have had the procedure you need to help you get better.
"I understand that you are now having physiotherapy but this is not being funded by the NHS.
"I recognise you and your parents' hard work to raise the money you need to continue your rehabilitation and I understand your local clinical commissioning group, NHS North Staffordshire, has offered to discuss the best way for you to access physiotherapy through NHS funding, and that the NHS is currently considering a specific funding request that could make this happen.
"I do hope you continue to receive the treatment you need so you can continue to get better. Yours, David."
But Ben, from Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire, replied: "I'm a bit disappointed because you did not answer any of my questions.
"I want to know why the NHS can't help me. I'm worried my treatment will have to stop as my mum and dad are struggling to fundraise. I really hope you can answer my questions this time."
Ben's mother Amy said: "Someone higher up (in the NHS) must have known that the funding was going to be cut. To make Ben go through two years of pre-op and a one-hour MRI scan only to say he can't have the operation. It's cruel."
