Being a mum can be a Hel of a job
Defence chiefs admitted a 27-patient surgical programme has been delayed due to issues with the “equipment supply chain”.
It is a blow to brave veterans who have suffered devastating injuries in conflict zones across the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan.
Officials at the Ministry of Defence say they are unable to say when the trial – which fuses bones with titanium rods – will start again.
Last year the Sunday People revealed how former sapper Clive Smith, who lost both legs below the knee in a bomb blast, mortgaged his home for £90,000 to pay for the op in Australia.
Experts say as many as 200 soldiers could benefit from the pioneering technique called osseoinegration, or Direct Skeletal Fixation.
Seamless
Afghanistan veteran Clive, 31, said: “I gave up waiting over a year ago and still there’s no progress. Going to Sydney was the best thing I ever did. I was confined to a wheelchair before, now I lead a normal life. The MoD ought to be ashamed lads are still waiting.” The two-year trial at the military hospital in Birmingham began last year, funded with £2million of Libor banking scandal fines. MoD chiefs confirmed that seven veterans have benefited from the treatment and 20 more are due to get it over the next two years. An MoD spokesman said: “DSF surgery had been paused last year because of some technical issues with the equipment supply chain. These have now been resolved and we will resume the programme in the near future.” But veterans wanting the surgery are considering flying to Australia for private treatment with expert Dr Munjed Al Muderis. Titanium rods bond to leg bones and a new limb is screwed on creating an almost seamless fit. The process gives amputees the sensation of walking naturally and does away with awkward strap-on limbs. Defence chiefs invited Dr Al Muderis to show UK surgeons the technique and lead the trial. He said: “I have no new date. It’s frustrating as I’ve offered my services for free and I just want to help the NHS and MoD.” TELLY presenter Helen Skelton has spoken out about the pressure to be a perfect mum after her son was thrown out of a playgroup for bad behaviour.
Helen, 33, was asked to remove 19-month-old Ernie on his first day at a toddler group after he kept screaming: “Mama, let’s go!”
The ex-Blue Peter presenter, who has been hosting ITV’s Lorraine this week, revealed her embarrassment on Twitter and was amazed at the support she got.
Helen said: “I had loads of women message me and say, ‘That exact thing happened to me.’
“That’s so nice as we’re all under pressure to be amazing mums. If my tweet made one stressed-out mum somewhere say, ‘Thank God, it’s not just me,’ then that’s amazing.”
Helen is eight months pregnant with her second child with husband Richie Myler, 26, an England rugby league star.
Last month she admitted feeling sick with nerves ahead of Ernie’s first day at his playgroup.
Minutes later the presenter’s worst fears came true when the pair were asked to leave. Helen, currently fronting a campaign for British Lion eggs, tweeted: “Worst day of my parenting life. “