Gemma Southall, from Sutton Coldfield, has issued an urgent plea for help as her 15-year-old son Louis Gibson faces an uncertain future after being discharged from Birmingham Children's Hospital. Louis, who suffers from Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), was admitted on July 10 weighing just 34kg, but after nearly four weeks of intensive care, he was sent home this week with the message that the NHS has done all it can.
Speaking to BirminghamLive, Southall expressed her anguish: "We have been told now that the NHS has done all they can and to go home. They're taking the tube out and I have to watch him deteriorate and potentially lose him." The family now fears Louis may not survive without specialised private treatment that the NHS cannot provide.
A Lifelong Battle with Health Issues
Louis's medical history is complex. Born with aortic stenosis and a leaking heart valve, he underwent open-heart surgery at just nine weeks old. He is also autistic and was diagnosed with ARFID last year, a condition far more severe than picky eating, leading to severe malnutrition and life-threatening weight loss. His mother notes that Louis has never weighed more than six stone and has been in and out of hospital throughout his life.
The teenager's condition deteriorated to the point where he was hospitalised, but despite intensive treatment, his weight has not improved. Southall stated, "He has not eaten a meal in months on end," highlighting the severity of his struggle.
Fundraising for Private Treatment
In response to the NHS's limitations, family and friends have launched a JustGiving appeal to raise £3,500 for private treatment, including specialist therapy and travel to appointments. As of Wednesday, August 5, over £2,200 had been raised. The appeal, organised by Southall's closest friend Tasmin Butler, emphasises the urgency: "We are running out of options and we do not have time to be on a waiting list when he has a limited time to improve his weight."
The funds will cover hypnotherapy sessions and travel costs, aiming to provide Louis with the best possible care. Butler urged the public: "Every donation, no matter how small, will make a real difference. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this page with friends and family would mean just as much." Southall echoed this, saying, "The sharing and donations mean everything, even the awareness, it’s giving me a chance to have the best care and therapy to help Louis."
Hospital Response
Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust has responded to the family's concerns. Dr Satish Rao, Chief Medical Officer, stated: "We recognise this must be a difficult time for Louis and his family. Any decision regarding treatment is made on a case-by-case basis by a multi-disciplinary team and will include a number of factors, with the best interests of the patient always being the primary concern."
He added: "We will only ever discharge a patient when it is safe to do so and with a full plan in place if necessary. We will continue to work with the family to ensure Louis is being provided the correct care and support."
Community Support
The appeal has garnered significant community support, with donations and messages of encouragement flooding in. The JustGiving page describes Louis as having "incredible strength and determination" despite his challenges. It reads: "At just 15-years-old, he has already overcome more than most people face in a lifetime."
As the family awaits further help, they remain hopeful that private treatment will offer Louis a chance at recovery. The situation underscores the wider issue of NHS resource limitations for complex eating disorder cases, leaving families to seek alternative solutions.
