A TODDLER is recovering after finally undergoing a crucial operation to remove his large tonsils which could often stop him from breathing.

James Hore

A TODDLER is recovering after finally undergoing a crucial operation to remove his large tonsils which could often stop him from breathing.

Harvey McGlown had been due to go under the surgeon's knife at Colchester General Hospital a month ago, but the procedure was cancelled at the last minute when specialists raised concerns about the impact of the general anaesthetic.

The two-year-old's parents, Martin McGlown and Emmi Ketley, of Wivenhoe, were distraught - claiming staff had known for two weeks about possible complications because of the youngster's suspected form of epilepsy.

The problem arose when an anaesthetist noticed he also had an electroencephalogram (EEG) test planned to investigate the possible epilepsy.

Following more monitoring of Harvey, it was decided to switch the operation to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

And last week he underwent a successful tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy there.

Mr McGlown, 35, said: “He has really recovered well and he is full of beans and we have seen an amazing transformation at night.

“The staff at Great Ormond Street were fantastic and they really lived up to their reputation. The communication we had was worlds apart from Colchester.

“Harvey had been really, really struggling at night and when we showed a video of him to the Great Ormond Street specialist she was visibly shocked by it and said it was one of the worst cases of a child struggling to breathe because of large tonsils.”

Mr McGlown thanked the EADT for covering the story about his son's plight.

“I am grateful for the EADT's help in terms of highlighting the issues because without that we may not have had such a successful outcome,” he said.

He said the EEG test had revealed there was no abnormal activity to suggest Harvey was epileptic although he is due to have a follow-up appointment.

Dr Marion Wood, medical director at Essex Rivers Healthcare Trust, said last month : “I can only apologise for the distress that must have been caused by the breakdown in communication that led to Harvey McGlown being admitted, made ready for his operation and then cancelled at such short notice.”