A DUNDEE mother whose campaign to raise awareness of a skull deformity in babies won over MSPs is gutted after Westminster failed to follow Holyrood’s lead.

MSPs agreed to carry out a study into flat-head syndrome after Mandy Muir’s support group submitted a 15,000-signature petition to Parliament.

The petition has resulted in information leaflets being produced to be given to all new parents, with a study also being carried out by the Scottish Government following the group’s efforts.

Mandy’s support group started a petition asking the Prime Minister to make plagiocephaly a recognised syndrome paid for on the NHS.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown delivered a blow by saying flat-head syndrome grows out “in the majority of cases” and does not warrant treatment through helmet therapy.

A spokesman for 10 Downing Street said, “The majority of cases of plagiocephaly do indeed grow out and it is for doctors to decide whether to treat the condition.

“However, doctors do take any case of plagiocephaly seriously.”

Mandy’s two-year-old daughter Annabel was diagnosed with flat-head syndrome at five months. Mandy saved up for three months to fund helmet therapy privately in Leeds.

Helmet therapy, which reshapes the head as the bones grow, costs £1850 plus around £2000 travel expenses to pay for trips for consultations.

Annabel’s starting measurements were 96% and 16mm misaligned, meaning her head was as wide as it was long, but it is now within the normal range after finishing therapy.

“I am extremely disappointed by the Government’s response to the petition,” Mandy said.

“The members of the support group worked very hard collecting signatures in the hope it would provoke a positive reaction as we have experienced up here in Scotland.

“Due to the lack of interest shown by the government, incidences will ultimately rise, hence eventually costing parents £2000 for private treatment, whereas this can so easily be prevented by ensuring simple advice is given to all new parents.”