Mum's 'tears of joy' as daughter released from hospital

A woman who was stuck in hospital for months while the NHS worked out who should fund her complex care package has been allowed to leave, just days after her plight was highlighted by the BBC.

Natasha has a rare progressive neurological disease and requires one-to-one care jointly funded by her council and the local NHS.

Her mum, Elaine, had long battled to secure a care package for the 27-year-old from Southport and while one had been ready since May, Natasha was unable to move until a funding deal was reached.

"She's going to have an amazing life," said Elaine of Natasha's move. "I'm just so excited for her. I never believed this day was going to come."

Natasha was born with a rare degenerative disorder called Leigh's Disease, which affects the brain and spinal cord.

She also has GAMT deficiency, which affects brain development and causes epileptic seizures.

After those seizures became life threatening 14 months ago she was taken to the specialist Walton Centre in Liverpool, which managed to get them under control.

Last week, BBC North West Tonight reported that Natasha had been medically fit to leave hospital for months but a suitable package of care had been difficult to find.

The family have been backed by Southport MP Patrick Hurley, who has been working for months to try to resolve the situation.

A few weeks ago the family's social worker at Sefton Council found a specialist placement in Bolton, Greater Manchester.

Everything was put in place to transfer Natasha in early June but last-minute funding hitches meant everything had to be paused.

The council has agreed funding throughout, but NHS Cheshire and Merseyside announced earlier this month that they were no longer responsible for the other 50%, which now needed to be picked up by NHS Greater Manchester.

At the time it said was working closely with partners to support the discharge process, and its priority was securing the right care and support for Natasha as quickly as possible.

Following the BBC's story, a number of high-level meetings were convened and Natasha left the hospital for her new home on Monday.

"We've got an amazing team on board from Greater Manchester ICB [Integrated Care Board] - they're working with Sefton local authority, absolutely brilliant and everything's happening," said Elaine.

"She's going to get what she needs, all the assessments. Everything that should have been done is now going to be done for Natasha."

Elaine was at the Walton Centre's rehabilitation unit to see her daughter leave.

While Natasha is non-verbal and has been unable to fully understand her situation, Elaine said her daughter knew she was leaving.

"She's been up since half four this morning, " she said. "She knew something was happening and when I went in earlier she was half asleep and as soon as she saw me she just jumped up. She was so excited."

The family have nothing but praise for the Walton Centre.

"All the doctors, the nurses, the porters, the security, the kitchen staff, they all know her and they all love her and it's been amazing, the care that she's received," said Elaine.

But for safety reasons Natasha has been unable to leave the hospital grounds.

Her new home will allow her the freedom to resume a more normal life.

A smiling Natasha emerged from the hospital in a wheelchair, ready to head to her new home in Bolton.

It will be some days before Elaine is able to see her daughter there, as Natasha has to get used to her home first.

She made sure her daughter was comfortable in the ambulance, gave her a hug, and waved her off, tears welling up.

"These are tears of joy," she explained.

"I know that where she's going is the right place for her. She's got her own house, she's got staff 24/7.

"I'm just so excited for her. She's now going to get everything that she needs.

"She's going to have a wonderful life in a beautiful house... this is just going to be amazing.

"This is the beginning of the rest of our lives."

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