[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.