The terminally-ill teenager who has refused a life-saving heart transplant, wins fight to turn down the proposed surgery.

The teenager was adamant she did not want any further treatment.  She suffered a mild form of dyspraxia as a very young child, which meant she did not  walk until she was three, which her Mother believes has made her more mature as she spent long periods of time just chatting.  When she was four, she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia and developed a hole in the heart as a result of the necessarily aggressive treatment for this disease

Although the operation, if successful, should prolong her life, there is a strong chance the leukaemia would return because her immune system would be weakened by the anti-rejection drugs.  Instead, Hannah said she would prefer to spend her remaining days in the care of her family rather than take the chance of dying in hospital. The decision to drop the action was taken after Hannah was interviewed by a child protection officer.

Now Hereford Hospital has finally agreed that she can be left in peace to spend her remaining days with her family.

She said: "I'm not a normal 13-year-old. I'm a deep thinker. I've had to be, with my illness. It's hard, at 13, to know I'm going to die, but I also know what's best for me.

"My parents have always encouraged me to make my own decisions. When it comes to my heart, I'd much rather do things my way than have other people decide for me".

Hannah's parents have faced criticism for allowing their daughter such freedom but argue that they have only their daughter's best interests at heart.

After the teenager told her doctors at "Birmingham Children’s Hospital" about her refusal to have the operation, they allegedly reported the case to the child protection unit, applying for an order removing Hannah from the family home on the grounds that her parents were “preventing her treatment”.

Chris Bull, the PCT’s Chief Executive, described Hannah as a “brave and courageous young woman” but defended the doctor’s decision to report his concerns. However, after a nurse from the child protection team interviewed Hannah, it was decided not to apply for a court order.

In the letter to the family, Mr Bull concluded: “Hannah appears to understand the serious nature of her condition . . . Treatment options were discussed and Hannah was able to express her clear views that she did not wish to go back on a pump or to go into hospital for cardiac treatment.”

Hereford Hospital said the decision on legal action, was made by Herefordshire Primary Care Trust.  A Trust spokesman said he could not comment for reasons of confidentiality because it was a child protection issue.

 The family is currently battling to find an insurer so that Hannah can fulfil her dying wish to go to Disneyland in Florida.