A FIFE MOTHER has echoed calls for an innovative treatment for babies with a skull deformity to be made available on the NHS.

Lisa Gregory and her husband David have been forced to pay around £2500 for helmet therapy since their son Lewis was diagnosed with plagiocephaly, otherwise known as flat head syndrome.

Just six weeks into the treatment there has been a marked difference in eight-month-old Lewis’s appearance, and the therapy seems to have been a complete success.

However, the fact the NHS regards the condition as cosmetic and will not fund its correction has angered Lisa, who believes the results could prove life-changing for many people.

The 27-year-old from Kinglassie contacted The Courier after reading in yesterday’s edition how the same therapy had been successful for Dundee baby Annabel Muir.

Annabel’s mum Mandy has petitioned the Scottish Executive, calling for the treatment to be made available on the NHS.

“Lewis has only had his helmet on since December 18 and even the specialist is absolutely astonished at the results,” said Lisa.

“His head was so flat at the back he was actually sitting flush against the wall. That’s now grown out by 12mm, which is the target he was given for six months. He’s done it in six weeks.

“The NHS say there is no proof the helmet works, but my son is proof it works.”

Like the Muir family the Gregorys had to travel to Leeds to have Lewis fitted for his helmet, which cost them £1850.

Since then, follow-up appointments have been at a private clinic in Hamilton, which charges £25 every time it assesses Lewis.

Lisa and David, who have another son Daniel (6), felt they had no choice but to pay for the treatment and borrowed money from family and friends to fund it.

“The NHS say the condition is cosmetic and the children can grow their hair to cover it, but it’s not cosmetic,” insisted Lisa.

“It can affect their jaws and the alignment of their eyes and ears. Lewis would have been left with his ears sticking out, bones sticking out the side of his face, his whole face would not have been symmetrical and he could have been a target for bullies later on.

“If you have a problem with your nose you can get it fixed on the NHS. Plagiocephaly, while not life threatening, is a disfigurement. Lewis’s results have been really amazing and it’s just a shame the NHS won’t cover it when there are so many people coming forward.”