A TEENAGER who is campaigning to get NHS treatment for a life-limiting condition has had her case heard in Parliament.

Guisborough 14-year-old Autumn Bradley has Pectus Excavatum, a condition which causes her breastbone to grow inwards, squashing her heart and lungs.

It means Autumn is in constant pain, and can no longer attend school or do sport.

But while treatment, which is sometimes considered cosmetic, is available on the NHS in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, an policy decision made last year means it is no longer available in England – something her family is campaigning to change.

It has now reached parliament after MP Simon Clarke secured a debate for the issue on Tuesday.

Addressing Westminster Hall, Mr Clarke read Autumn's own words, who explained how she had gone from being an active youngster, who ran and did long jump at county level, and had dreams of being an athlete or nurse, to someone who struggles to breathe.

"For as long as I remember I have had pectus excavatum," she said.

"When I was younger I embraced it as it made me unique. It didn't affect me massively.

"I loved sports, I ran and did long jump for the county competitively, I surfed, climbed mountains, played football with friends, went to scouts and much more.

The Northern Echo:

"I spent free time caring for my animals in my little rescue. However as the years went on, the pectus got progressively worse.

"The dent deepened. I began to suffer with my health. Every cold I had went on my chest and needed antibiotics and steroids and I often ended up in hospital.

"I began to miss massive amounts of school and all the things I loved.

"Fast forward to now. I can't do any sports, all the club's I loved have gone. I feel so tired constantly, my ribs and back are in so much pain I take pain killers all the time, but it still hurts.

"I can't breath. I can't take a deep breath - it feels restricted and like my chest is being crushed and I can feel my sternum touching my spine.

"Climbing stairs leaves me breathless. I don't even attend school now.

"My dream was to be an athlete or a nurse, my chance of the first dream is gone.

"I'm so worried about what the future holds for me as my school grades will start to suffer.

"All I am asking is that you reconsider the decision not to offer pectus surgery as it would give not only me, but lots of teens like me, a chance of a normal life like those who are not born with this condition."

Autumn's sternum is now just 25mm from her spine, effectively meaning her heart ans lungs are being squashed.

Mr Clarke asked the NHS review its policy and requested an interim measure be explored to help people like Autumn in the short term.

He said: "Anybody who hears Autumn's story would agree that there is a real injustice taking place here.

"Due to a very specific piece of NHS policy introduced last year, Autumn and many people like her in England, are being prevented from receiving the treatment they so badly need on the NHS."

"Having worked with Joel Dunning, a specialist surgeon at James Cook University Hospital, it is clear that the medical profession shares the frustration that this treatment is no longer available.

"I have raised this issue as a priority with the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, and I have asked for this debate in Parliament to raise awareness and gain support for this cause."

Earlier this month, Mr Dunning described the policy as a "complete disaster".

Health minister Edward Argar said Mr Clarke had made, "an incredibly powerful case" and promised to raise the matter with NHS colleagues.

He added that any decision would be taken independently by the NHS.