Oscar completes his first day at school thanks to life-saving surgery at Evelina

Four-year-old Oscar completes his first week at school thanks to life-saving surgery as a baby at Evelina London.

Oscar Duggan was born with a narrowing of the aorta, the major vessel which carries blood away from the heart, and at three days old had life-saving emergency surgery.

His mother Clare, a primary school teacher, said: “We were told he was the sickest baby in the hospital, but the staff were amazing.”

Oscar still has regular checks on a narrowed heart valve, but was thrilled to start at Bursted Woods Primary School near his Bexleyheath home.

“After his first day he ran in shouting ‘Mummy it was brilliant’,” said Clare. “He is just an ordinary child who can play and join in with all the others. We are so thankful to everyone at the hospital.”

Children’s heart services at Evelina London deals with the diagnosis and treatment of children’s heart problems from before they are born through to childhood and into adulthood. The department has an international reputation and cares for around 6,000 patients each year.