A LITTLE boy has been denied the chance to attend school after the NHS ruled he does not need specialist nursing care.

Josh Tippett, aged nine, of Lincoln Chase, Southend, suffered brain damage during his birth at St Thomas’s Hospital, in central London, in November 2005.

Josh defied the odds and survived, but was left suffering from cerebral palsy and epilepsy, as well as a catalogue of serious disabilities which confine him to a wheelchair.

He will be dependent on round-the-clock care for the rest of his life, but the Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group, which runs the NHS Continuing Care service in Southend, has decided he is not sick enough to warrant a care package.

This would have provided him with a nurse to visit Kingsdown school and carry out suction of his throat and mouth to ensure he didn’t get too congested.

However, the health group has decided he is capable of coughing and clearing his own airway.

Mum Karyn said: “Over the last two years Josh has been in hospital for five months and each time he went in he was on life support. About 18 months ago he had his tonsils and adenoids out and he improved, but he still needs the same level of care.

“If he is at school he needs to have suction, but the school nurses can’t do this because of insurance reasons and they are not trained to do it. He needs to have deep throat suction or he could end up back in intensive care.

“He is sick enough to go to Little Havens for respite care.

“Josh loves going to Kingsdown School, but all they have been able to offer is one hour a week home tuition. We love having him at home, but he is missing out on so much.

Every child has a right to be at school.”

The family were devastated last year when the High Court denied him a multi-millionpound compensation deal from the hospital where he was born.

They have raised £3,000 for Josh to have special therapy and exercises, at the Advance Centre, inWest Sussex.

This focuses on strengthening the chest and stomach muscles associated with breathing to improve blood supply and, along with it, nerve and muscles.

The family are keen for Josh to mix with other children as well as his Brother Jaden, three, and sister Caitlyn, eight.

Mrs Tippett added: “Josh interacts in his own little way.

He loves being with all the other children.

“All the children at Kingsdown love to help him.”