New hope for nine-year-old in need of leg operation

9-year-old Anthony McMahon has suffered a major blow in his hopes of having a life changing operation.

A specialist from Southampton General Hospital today met with Anthony and his family but the doctor has said he will not be able to carry out the surgery.

Anthony was born with a condition that gave him abnormal hip joints and short legs.

In 2008, he became the first person in the UK to have a super-hip and knee operation to reconstruct his right leg, which was funded by the States.

His family say he needs the same surgery on his left leg but the Health and Social Services Department in Guernsey have so far told them they don't believe it is the right course for him, and won't fund it.

The nine-year-old now faces amputation or surgery in America after the disappointing news from the UK-based doctor.

Anthony's father Ian has said they may now have to look at heading across the Atlantic.

A specialist from Southampton General Hospital will be in Guernsey today to meet the family of 9 year old Anthony McMahon, who was born with a condition that gave him abnormal hip joints and short legs.

The specialist will also meet the States disability champion, Deputy Arrun Wilkie, ahead of meeting the island's health board, who have so far refused to fund a second pioneering operation to help Anthony walk properly.

In 2008, he became the first person in the UK to have a super-hip and knee operation to reconstruct his right leg, which was funded by the States.

But his family say he needs the same surgery on his left leg. The Health and Social Services Department in Guernsey has so far told them they don't believe it is the right course for him, and won't fund it.

Tomorrow will be the family's latest attempt to try to convince Guernsey's States to fund a second operation to help him walk.