FOUR-YEAR-OLD Ruby Atkins has been approved for life-changing surgery following a visit to Great Ormond Street hospital.

The Rogiet toddler, who has bilateral cerebral palsy, needs Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) treatment, typically not funded on the Welsh NHS.

Ruby's family visited Great Ormond Street Hospital last Thursday (8th January) where they were told the good news.

The tot hasn't received a date yet for her operation but it is expected to be scheduled later in the year.

A county-wide campaign was launched last year to raise £40,000 for the toddler to receive the operation.

The Welsh NHS are currently funding eight patients for this operation, including three-year-old Imogen Ashwell-Lewis from Portskewett.

Antony Atkins, Ruby's dad, said: "Ruby isn't being funded by the Welsh NHS, which we are very disappointed about.

"The Welsh NHS have funding for eight patients this financial year and they have carried out an internal assessment to identify those eight already, although some of which haven't even been seen by the neuro teams that would be performing the operation.

"We are already challenging this as we feel yet again that Ruby is being failed by the system.

"Thankfully, due to all the kindness and support we have the funds to pay for the operation privately with Great Ormond Street if needed, however ideally those funds could be used to better help Ruby with the ongoing after care."