Natalie Bralee-Brett

A WOMAN suffering from an incurable condition linked to a controversial surgical procedure performed on her as a child is calling on Sir Keir Starmer to intervene in her fight for answers.

The New Journal reported earlier this year how Natalie Bralee-Brett, 53, who grew up on the Regent’s Park Estate and now lives in York Way, was implanted with human “cadaver dura” grafts during surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) around 50 years ago.

She has since been diagnosed with iatrogenic cerebral amyloid angiopathy (ICAA), a rare and progressive brain condition that specialists say is a recognised consequence of the contaminated grafts.

Her brother Neil, who under­went the same procedure as a child at GOSH, is also seriously unwell.

Once a black cab driver, he has been forced to sell his taxi and stop working, despite only being in his 50s.

Medical experts now fear there could be many other people who received similar grafts in the 1970s and 1980s at risk or experiencing symptoms without realising why.

Since the New Journal first reported the case in March, two more former GOSH patients with the condition have come forward, while another case has emerged in New Zealand.

Ms Bralee-Brett says she has spent months trying to secure a meeting with her MP after former health secretary Wes Streeting sent a letter that said the government could order GOSH and other hospitals to undertake a review.

But Ms Bralee-Brett said she has struggled to get a response. “Seven months waiting to meet with my MP?” she said.

“Is this reasonable? I feel like we’ve been put on the back burner because he is PM. But I’m not giving up.”

She added: “It feels like there are a lot of people who know about it, but don’t want the extent of it coming out.”

Sir Keir Starmer

Before becoming prime minister, Sir Keir told the New Journal he would remain accessible to constituents and continue to prioritise his Camden casework.

Ms Bralee-Brett said the emotional toll on her family had been immense, adding: “It makes me so angry that no one has sat down with us and offered support. There is nothing. It’s bad enough dealing with this condition and knowing you got it from an operation, but then to be left isolated and told to get on with it.

“It’s difficult for my mum, my aunt and my sons too. There’s a bigger impact.”

She now lives in a wheelchair-accessible flat with her two grown-up children and dog, Tilly.

The main supplier of cadaver dura grafts to the NHS is believed to have been a German healthcare company, although the firm has reportedly said records from the period no longer exist.

GOSH has similarly said it cannot identify which products were used in Natalie and Neil’s operations because detailed records were not routinely kept at the time.

However, Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge has reportedly been able to provide lawyers acting for patients there with detailed information about historic graft supplies.

SEE ALSO BRAIN TISSUE TAKEN FROM CORPSES WAS PACKED IN TO WOMAN’S BODY – NOW FAMILY WANT WHOLE TRUTH

Ms Bralee-Brett said: “GOSH told me they’ve looked through records and spoken to theatre staff but can’t identify which company supplied the grafts.

“They are saying the records no longer exist. But why is there no information about costs or who was being paid? I just can’t believe that.”

She added: “We know there are at least four cases now from 1974 to 1987. There is no way it can just be me and Neil — there has got to be more.”

Natalie and Neil were both born with spina bifida and underwent surgery at GOSH as children.

The New Journal has seen medical records confirming cadaver grafts were used in both procedures.

In Germany, investigations by journalists have alleged that some of the tissue used in grafts during that era may have been harvested illegally from corpses in Berlin cemeteries, with mortuary workers allegedly involved in a black market trade.

The New Journal understands there are around 20 ICAA patients currently under the care of a specialist at University College Hospital.

In his letter, Mr Streeting acknowledged the scale of the challenge facing any investigation.

“Identifying individuals who may have received these grafts would require a manual review of many thousands of historic files, which is not feasible,” he wrote.

“Should a national recall or review programme be established, GOSH will fully support and participate in it.”

A spokesperson for Sir Keir Starmer apologised for the delay in arranging a meeting and said they hoped one would take place soon.

Dr Sophie Varadkar, medical director at GOSH, said: “I want to express again my deepest sympathy to Natalie and her brother Neil for the distressing condition they are experiencing.

“At the time, this type of graft made from cadaver material was commonly used in surgical procedures worldwide, and sadly the risks associated with it were not fully understood.

“We have shared all information we have about Natalie and Neil’s surgeries with them and have thoroughly reviewed our records to identify any specific detail about the type of grafts used, but unfortunately this information was not routinely recorded at the time.”­­

Parking pole pain

Ms Bralee-Brett’s main focus may be on forcing top government and NHS officials to act on her demands, but she is also in an energy-sapping dispute with the Town Hall, writes Tom Foot.

Each time she goes to her car she has to bend over and lift up a pole that blocks off her allocated disabled parking space.

Once out of the space she has to get out of the car, into her wheelchair and put the pole down – with the same process on her return.

“This means I am in considerable pain with my severe curvature of my spine and it risks me falling,” she said.

The council has so far told her they cannot fit the electronically operated poles that she wants.

Her GP at the Caversham has written a strong letter to the council saying they could be in breach of legal duties to make “reasonable adjustments”.

A Camden Council spokesperson said: “Any unauthorised vehicles parking in her designated parking space are parking illegally, subject to enforcement action and will receive a ticket.

“We have therefore offered to remove the bollard.

“We will be contacting Mrs Bralee-Brett to further discuss her request and how we can best support her moving forward.”