[Mrluvaluva]

A critically ill teenager denied a liver transplant because his condition is drink-related is to be flown to a specialist hospital unit.

Gareth Anderson, 19, from Newtownards in County Down, suffered liver failure after a weekend of drinking and there are fears he could soon die.

Doctors said there was a strict policy that potential donors had to abstain from alcohol for six months.

Gareth's family urged the local health minister to make an exception and give the green light for the surgery that could save his life.

But Michael McGimpsey said he did not have the power to intervene.

Now, as pressure has mounted on the Stormont minister, Mr McGimpsey has announced Gareth's move from the Ulster Hospital outside Belfast to the liver unit at King's College Hospital in London.

"He will receive supportive medical therapy with the aim of stabilising his condition," Mr McGimpsey said.

Gareth was taken to hopsital three weeks ago after becoming ill.


Source


He must have been drinking an awful lot.

[Tom]

He's only got himself to blame

[Lauren]

Liver failure at 19? That's terrible.

And it's terrible to turn around and deny this kid (potentially), his life. However, if we let him off this once - what's the point of the rule being in place at all? Next time it happens, we'll have to let them go ahead with it. Eventually, the irresponsible ones will be getting the transplants whereas the ones that have abstained as necessary will be facing even more donation shortages.

[Iceman]

If you've seen the papers then you'll have seen the pictures of him drinking, he gave an interview today asking people in the republic to help. I feel for him because he's so young but this guy only has one person he can blame....

[Mrluvaluva]

Pictures of him drinking?

[Mrluvaluva]

A teenager being treated for liver failure after a binge-drinking session left his hospital bed to go to the pub, it has emerged.

Still in his slippers, holding the needle of a drip in his hand and wearing his hospital name band, 19-year-old Garath Anderson tried to order a pint at the bar.

The teenager, who doctors say could have just two weeks to live, was recently transferred from Ulster Hospital near Belfast to a specialist liver unit at Kings College Hospital in London.

BinHis father, Brian Anderson, is planning to launch a judicial review to try to overturn NHS guidelines which mean his son has to be alcohol free for six months before he can get a liver transplant.

Staff at the Old Moat Inn opposite the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald revealed that last week they refused Garath's order, alerted the hospital and took him back.

Manager Lorraine McMillan said: "He was very young and didn't look very well. He asked for a pint or possibly a vodka.

"He was refused a drink and he said that was OK he would take a coke."

His father, who has been at his son's bed side almost constantly since he was admitted to hospital, responded with exasperation.

"I don't know what he was thinking about, I don't think he knows," he said.

"He said 'I don't know why I did it, I just walked out and walked across to the pub'."

He said his son first told him he had a coke, but when pressed admitted trying to order alcohol first.

"I said 'What were you thinking about son' and he said ' I don't know, I just don't know'."

Mr Anderson said he was trying to get his son psychiatric help.

Garath suffered acute liver failure earlier this month after drinking 30 cans of lager on a weekend and had to be rushed to hospital.

Although it is common medical practice in the UK to insist that liver patients go without a drink for six months before going on the transplant waiting list, it is only a guideline and not a rule.

Mr Anderson insists the policy should apply to older patients with chronic alcoholism, not a teenager who has never before needed medical treatment for a drink-related illness.


SKY

[Marc]

makes me sick... people are dying around the world because they are born with liver problems and this t*** wastes his. Good riddance

[Lauren]

He's an idiot. Just read the new story about him going to the pub, what an arse. Seriously - give the liver to someone who deserves it. Whatever happens to him is his own doing, his family could do without that stress in their life.

[Mrluvaluva]

I don't believe it just happened from one binge drinking weekend either. You would think he would be **** scared he might die but he doesn't seem to give a flying **** for himself, or his family. He doesn't deserve a second chance at life.

[Lauren]

I saw an interview with him yesterday and he said "I never want a drink again, it doesn't appeal to me". Yeah, okay.

[ange7]

doctors make these choices all the time. If of the next two people on the donor waiting list waiting on a lung, one is a smoker... the other guy will get it.