Skull help 'not available on NHS'

Baby Jacob Golbey with his helmet

A couple from Sussex say they have been forced to find private therapy for their child because treatment for his condition is unavailable on the NHS.

Jacob Golbey, of South Chailey, has plagiocephaly - his head is flattened on one side and bulges on the other.

His parents were unhappy to be told his treatment would be "cosmetic" and found a special helmet from a self-help group on the internet to assist skull growth.

Jacob, aged seven months, will wear the helmet for the next year.

The treatment is commonplace in the United States and Germany - but is not recognised in the UK.

The Department of Health said: "Plagiocephaly can occur for a number of reasons. The NHS is always prepared to intervene where a condition requires it and to seek specialist advice where this is needed."