Doctors at a Surrey rehabilitation centre who are treating a disabled Dundee teenager have recommended he extend his stay for a further two months.
Nathan Buik (13), from Downfield, has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and suffered a brain injury as a result of a cardiac arrest associated with the condition in December.
Due to his age and the extent of the injury, doctors advised his parents, Derek and Linda, to seek help in England, as no Scottish hospital could treat him.
In June, a bed became available at the Children’s Trust rehabilitation centre in Tadworth and Nathan received enough funding from NHS Tayside to stay for two months.
Following a meeting last week to assess his progress which included a video link between the centre and doctors at Ninewells Hospital it was unanimously decided he should remain at the centre until mid-October.
The family face another wait to discover if NHS Tayside will be able to fund Nathan’s stay.
They have been working tirelessly to raise cash to pay travel expenses to and from Surrey and also to carry out renovations to the family home for his return.
Mum Linda stays with him constantly, but the rest of the family has been visiting whenever possible.
They have also been overwhelmed by the generosity of local people, who have helped to raise more than £6000 so far.
Just last week, regulars from city pubs the Hawkhill Tavern and the Strath Bar handed over a total of £500 for the cause.PositiveNathan has been receiving intensive physical therapy, occupational therapy, hydrotherapy and orientation and the treatment is already having a positive effect.
Dad Derek said, “The consensus was that staff at Tadworth are happy with Nathan’s progress and, because of this, they feel he has the potential to keep improving.
“It was recommended that we contact NHS Tayside for funding for another two months.
“Nathan’s doctor at Ninewells took part in the meeting by video link and has agreed he would benefit from more time there because Dundee has nothing to offer him.
“The doctor has now got to contact the NHS trust in order to find out if the funding will be available.”
He continued, “Nathan is still in the very early stages of his rehabilitation but he is without doubt making great strides. He’s a very determined young lad.
“He’s beginning to string sentences together and his communication has improved. He has also been made aware of his condition and we now believe he fully understands it.”
Mr Buik went on to say the family fears his progress could “stagnate” if he was to leave before experts thought him ready.Hardship”Our concern would also be going through this hardship with him and raising funds only for it all to be lost because he came back too early.
“It looks as though it will be October before he returns and even then there will be further meetings to determine whether he could stay on.
“He’s starting to miss his family now. Linda is down there constantly and other family members are visiting as often as they can.
“We’re just facing a waiting game to see if funding will be made available and are keeping our fingers crossed.”
Baldragon Academy pupil Nathan was playing football for Dryburgh Athletic in 2008 when he first collapsed, and this was when his heart condition was discovered.
A second incident while walking to school led to him being transferred to Yorkhill Hospital, Glasgow, where he was fitted with a pacemaker.
On Hogmanay, Nathan collapsed as he boarded a bus, falling and suffered a brain injury.
The family is now hoping to come up with new ideas to raise funds for the youngster, who will celebrate his 14th birthday this weekend.