Hospital place secured for critically ill girl

Penelope Greathead was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy about a year ago

The parents of a critically ill 14-month-old girl have said they now have "hope" after an urgently needed bed was secured for her at a specialist hospital.

Penelope Greathead, from Ravenscar, North Yorkshire, suffers from a heart condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy and had been on life support at Leeds Children's Hospital.

Her parents Jordan Greathead and Hollie Suff had been told there was a shortage of NHS beds capable of supporting their daughter's treatment.

Penelope's family hit a £120,000 fundraiser to help pay for treatment in Germany, however the couple confirmed on Monday they had secured a space at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Now that Penelope can be cared for at the children's hospital in London, the family will donate the money to other families facing similar situations.

The fundraising target was reached within three days, leading the couple to thank people "from the bottom of our hearts".

Writing on social media, they said they were "thanking their lucky stars" after the hospital confirmed a space for their daughter.

"This is only the very beginning of her journey but we now have a plan and hope," they wrote.

Speaking to BBC Look North last week, Mrs Suff said Penelope's condition, which affects the heart's ability to pump blood around the body, was diagnosed when she was only a few weeks old.

It was initially managed through medication, however her condition deteriorated during a routine stay in hospital in Leeds about a fortnight ago and she went into cardiac arrest.

Since then, Penelope has been reliant on a life support device which temporarily takes over the heart and lungs.

Mrs Suff said Penelope required a Berlin Heart device that helps pump blood around her body.

Following the success of their online appeal, the family hoped to share further updates on her treatment in coming days.

Thanking those who contributed, they said: "There are no words that can be used to say how thankful we are to each and every single person who has donated, shared Penelope's story or sent us messages of support.

"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

The family also thanked staff at Leeds Children's Hospital, who they say "provided the most amazing care to our little girl" in recent weeks.

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