THE mother of a severely ill teenager who is unable to eat, drink, walk or talk says she has been “dangerously let down” after being left without food or fluids for 24 hours.

Olivia Baalham, who suffers from a rare neurological disorder called Rett Syndrome, has been moved from the care of the children’s department at Colchester General Hospital to adult wards since turning 18 last month.

But her distraught mother, Natalie Palmer, has hit out at the rules and described her recent hospital stay as “diabolical”.

Natalie, of Long Road, Lawford, said: “I spent a year in transition meetings talking about what we need in place.

“I spoke about my frustrations and concerns about her hugely complex medical needs and learning difficulties.”

However, Natalie said her concerns were realised when she was admitted to hospital.

She said: “An adult ward is a dire place.

“It’s scary and she’s not used to the environment and they can’t cater for her.

“The woman in the next bed has dementia and keeps wanting to give Olivia a biscuit but she can’t swallow.

“She is at high risk of infection from her tubes and there are people using commodes three feet away.”

Olivia has a Hickman line for medicines as well as for her nutrition and for blood tests.

But Natalie said staff have tried to take blood without it and said on Saturday night Olivia did not receive her daily two litres of nutrition which are her only source of food and fluid.

Natalie, who also has a 14-year-old daughter, Lucy, and three-year-old son, Alistair, said: “It’s her only source of nutrition.

“She needs it seven nights a week 365 days a year.

“She’s been in for a week.

“I asked why they didn’t give her a saline IV line as she had no fluids in the middle of a heatwave.”

Olivia has been in and out of hospital since last October due to problems with her gastrojejunostomy tube, which bypasses her stomach and large intestine.

The tube has been causing her severe pain and reflux.

Natalie added: “She was crying in pain and retching.

“She was in the high observation ward, which was great, but she is now on a ward in a bay of six.

“She’s been teeth grinding, which she does when she is anxious.

“She is so vulnerable.

“It’s been my worst nightmare.”

Natalie would like to see the rules changed meaning the ongoing care of seriously ill youngsters like Olivia can be kept on the children’s ward.

A spokesman for Colchester General Hospital said: “We are really sorry to hear of the family’s concerns and are working with Mrs Palmer to find solutions.”