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Mother’s Journey to Diagnosis for Son’s Brain Injury
A mother from Manchester has shared her distressing experience of waiting over a year for a diagnosis of brain damage for her son. Ella Wilson, 23, described feeling “physically sick” as she sought help from medical professionals, feeling ignored by NHS staff.
Ella’s son, Luke Clarke, was born on August 21, 2024, at St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester after a life-threatening placental abruption. Despite being discharged after a week, Ella began to notice worrying developmental delays in Luke’s first 14 months, including difficulties with breathing and digestion.
Throughout this time, Ella reported numerous hospital visits and consultations with health visitors and doctors, including three trips to Salford Royal Hospital in October 2025. On October 10, Luke was transferred to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital for further assessment. It was not until October 20 that Ella received the diagnosis of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), a brain injury caused by reduced blood flow and oxygen.
Ella expressed concern that Luke missed out on vital support during this protracted waiting period, stating the diagnosis should have been made sooner. “I was his voice,” she said. Following the diagnosis, Luke received increased medical support and has been diagnosed with global developmental delay and other health issues.
Now two years since his birth, Luke remains non-verbal and shows limited engagement with toys, but Ella described him as “the happiest baby” she knows. In a bid to raise awareness and funds for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Ella plans to climb Mount Snowdon alongside another family affected by the same condition.
The chief medical officer of the Northern Care Alliance, Dr Rafik Bedair, expressed disappointment at learning of Ella’s dissatisfaction with her care, encouraging families with concerns to come forward.
Ella has set up a fundraiser to support her climb, accessible via her GoFundMe page.
