The mother of an 11-year-old girl with long COVID has launched legal action against a health board in what is thought to be one of the first cases of its kind in Scotland.
Helen Goss, from Westhill in Aberdeenshire, is seeking damages from NHS Grampian on behalf of her daughter, Anna Hendy.
The action - led by Thompsons Solicitors Scotland - claims medical negligence towards the schoolgirl, who has suffered from long COVID since March 2020.
NHS Grampian said it could not comment on individual patient cases.
Anna has been unable to return to school, needs the use of a wheelchair, and is often confined to her bed.
Image:Anna at home. Pic: Helen Goss
Image:Anna at home. Pic: Helen Goss
In a statement posted on X, Ms Goss said her family had "tirelessly navigated and exhausted all avenues within NHS Grampian".
She claimed the family had faced "medical gaslighting, dismissal and had constantly been denied NHS care".
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Ms Goss added: "It is regrettable that pursuing legal action seems to be the only viable option to progress and secure the healthcare that Anna urgently requires and rightfully deserves.
"NHS Grampian has neglected to uphold Anna's right to the best possible health, as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) Article 24.
"The health board also exhibited a lack of seriousness in addressing our formal complaint, attempting to close it without resolution on four separate occasions."
Image:Helen Goss and Anna. Pic: Long Covid Kids
Image:Helen Goss and Anna. Pic: Long Covid Kids
Image:Anna now needs the use of a wheelchair. Pic: Helen Goss
Image:Anna now needs the use of a wheelchair. Pic: Helen Goss
Ms Goss has sought private treatment for Anna which she said "should and could" have been provided by NHS Grampian.
She added: "Despite repeated requests to the health board, the necessary treatment and care were consistently denied.
"This failure on the part of NHS Grampian to fulfil their duty of care has resulted in medical negligence, causing additional harm and trauma to Anna and our family."
Image:Anna has been unable to return to school. Pic: Helen Goss
Image:Anna has been unable to return to school. Pic: Helen Goss
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The family are "hopeful" for a positive resolution to the case.
In addition to damages, Ms Goss is also seeking a formal apology from the health board and improved clinical protocols for youngsters with long COVID.
Image:The family with First Minister Humza Yousaf. Pic: Long Covid Kids
Image:The family with First Minister Humza Yousaf. Pic: Long Covid Kids
Ms Goss, who is the chief operating officer for charity Long Covid Kids, said funding for the condition is "inadequate and insulting".
She added: "Our unwavering commitment to improving outcomes for the health and wellbeing of our young people will persist with unrelenting determination for as long as it takes."
Image:Campaigners at Downing Street. Pic: Long Covid Kids
Image:Campaigners at Downing Street. Pic: Long Covid Kids
NHS Grampian said it was in the process of creating a new treatment pathway for children affected by the condition.
A new website allowing families to share their experiences is also in the works.
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A spokesperson for the health board said: "NHS Grampian has a long COVID project board and a long COVID paediatric steering group which help to inform our work.
"We also now have a paediatric long COVID practitioner as well as a paediatric clinical lead for long COVID. Children who are suffering with symptoms are managed by the appropriate clinicians according to their needs.
"The team is always happy to hear from those who have experienced long COVID, as well as parents and carers, regardless of the severity of their symptoms."
