Get hero surgeon back to work

A LITTLE boy who had to plead with Nicola Sturgeon to get a life-changing operation is backing a campaign to get his suspended surgeon reinstated.

- VIVIENNE AITKEN

Consultant spine surgeon at NHS Lothian Chris Adams has previously spoken out about lengthy waiting lists which have led to deterioration in patients' conditions - including the case of Harvey Martin.

Harvey, 10, from Wemyss Bay, Renfrewshire, had been on a waiting list for surgery to straighten his spine, which was crushing his organs and causing excruciating pain, until the Daily Record carried his appeal to the then first minister.

NHS Lothian responded quickly to Sturgeon's intervention but by the time he was operated on, his fourth and fifth ribs were 2mm from touching his spinal cord, which would have led to paralysis.

Adams, who performed Harvey's operation, is understood to have been suspended last month after highlighting further tragic cases.