'Doctors have signed death warrant', parents call for life-saving operation
Helen and Ian Dagger from Merthyr Tydfil are raising funds as they say they've been left with no choice but to go to a private hospital for their toddlers life-saving heart operation
Last updated 3rd Mar 2025
The NHS is being accused of signing a 'death warrant' on a 4-year-old after he was refused surgery in Bristol.
Parents, Helen and Ian Dagger from Merthyr Tydfil are raising funds as they feel they've been left with no choice but to go to a private hospital for their toddlers life-saving heart operation.
They say doctors have put a 'price tag' on their toddler's life
Helen says "the surgery will enable Louis to carry on living in his family with lots of love.
"We are asking for donations for a child who has been doing really well and is a much loved member of a large family."
In an interview with us, Helen says:
"It's not acceptable to tell someone that they're not entitled to a surgery because they are neurologically disabled.
"It's placing a price tag on someone's life."
"It's only since his disability that they have said they're not going to operate.
Helen told us that Louis was born with a complex heart issue in 2021- Bristol Children's Hospital had partly repaired and was in hospital for 17 months.
However, Louis recently caught H1N1 avian flu and was in Cardiff ICU which means he's in need of surgery again.
Now, Louis' parents say they've "been told that although the heart surgery is viable, due to his disability they (the hospital) are refusing to help him".
"He had a MRI scan on his heart in September and I spent weeks and weeks chasing that result.
"Nobody would tell us anything."
They are calling for donations by the public as they feel they have no choice but to go to a private hospital in the UK or in the USA.
Dr Rebecca Maxwell, Chief Medical Officer for University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, says:
“We will always act in the best interests of our patients. Compassion, dignity and respect are at the heart of every decision we make about the right approach to treatment for those in our care.
"It would not be appropriate to go into specific details regarding Louis."
Louis' JustGiving page can be found here.