This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/south_west/7196631.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Fire families praise medical care Two fire girls 'to go home soon'
(about 2 hours later)
The families of four schoolgirls who were badly burned in a house fire have praised the medical teams caring for them. Two of the four teenage girls badly injured in a house fire more than a month ago are expected to be allowed home from hospital soon.
Specialists say two of the teenagers, Kimberley Patterson, 15, and Nadine Farden, 14, may be allowed home soon. Kimberley Patterson, 15, and Nadine Farden, 14, were in the home of sisters Anya, 15, and Kira Evans, 14, in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire.
But doctors at Swansea's Morriston Hospital say all the girls will need long-term treatment for their injuries. They suffered serious burns and have had 10 major skin grafts between them.
The girls were in the house in Old Castle Road, Llanelli, when the blaze broke out on 17 December. Doctors at Morriston Hospital in Swansea are expected to announce later that Kimberley and Nadine can go home.
Kira Evans, 14, is said to be "progressing satisfactorily" by burns specialists. Medical staff said the schoolgirls were lucky to escape with their lives when the fire ripped through the house in Old Castle Road on 17 December.
But doctors say it will still be a number of weeks until she is well enough to go home. But they have improved greatly and Kira, Nadine and Kimberley are now able to walk short distances.
Her sister, 15-year-old Anya, is being cared for at the paediatric intensive care unit at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, where she has been receiving specialist treatment to help her breathing.
I want to thank the hospital staff for all they have done, and all the messages of support from so many people Katreen Patterson, Kimberley's motherI want to thank the hospital staff for all they have done, and all the messages of support from so many people Katreen Patterson, Kimberley's mother
Since the fire, medics have carried out 10 major skin graft operations, some lasting up to a day at a time, on the girls. A news conference is being held at the hospital in Swansea later when it is expected doctors will say Nadine and Kimberley can leave hospital
The director of the burns centre at Morriston, consultant William Dickson said the teenagers are receiving the best care available. Katreen Patterson, Kimberley's mother, described her relief at her daughter's progress, saying she was "overwhelmed" when she saw her walk for the first time.
"It is wonderful to see Kim coming on so well.
"The best moment for me was seeing her walk down the corridor towards me. I wasn't expecting it and I started crying - I was overwhelmed"
She added: "I want to thank the hospital staff for all they have done, and all the messages of support from so many people, including strangers.
With serious burns injuries cases, patients are not admitted for a couple of days, treated and then discharged Burns consultant William Dickson
"It has really helped us over the past few weeks."
Kira and Anya's parents also praised the medical teams in Swansea and Cardiff's paediatric intensive care unit, where Anya is receiving specialist treatment for her breathing, saying they were "overjoyed" at the girls' improvement.
The family will celebrate Christmas when both daughters are finally home.
Their mother Margo Cassel said: "My husband Paul and myself are looking forward to being able to take the girls home, where we will have our Christmas, and Anya's 15th birthday, together with their nine-year old sister, Selina."
She thanked the hospital staff who has treated the girls, and well-wishers from as far afield as New Zealand who have also sent the cards and presents.
The director of the burns centre at Morriston, consultant William Dickson, said the teenagers were receiving the best care available.
"There is a huge team effort involved in helping to get the girls well," Mr Dickson said."There is a huge team effort involved in helping to get the girls well," Mr Dickson said.
"It is not just surgery. There is the intensive care aspect, ventilatory support, anaesthetics, specialist nursing staff, nutritional support, and intensive rehabilitation.""It is not just surgery. There is the intensive care aspect, ventilatory support, anaesthetics, specialist nursing staff, nutritional support, and intensive rehabilitation."
With serious burns injuries cases, patients are not admitted for a couple of days, treated and then discharged Burns consultant, William Dickson
Mr Dickson said his medical teams began the process of rehabilitation from the first day the girls were admitted.Mr Dickson said his medical teams began the process of rehabilitation from the first day the girls were admitted.
Flames and smoke pour from the roof at the height of the blaze
"When they were unconscious on their ventilators, splints were put on their limbs and specialist burns therapists ensured their fingers and toes were moved and exercised," he explained."When they were unconscious on their ventilators, splints were put on their limbs and specialist burns therapists ensured their fingers and toes were moved and exercised," he explained.
"This is a crucial part of burns management to endure suppleness and to maximise function.""This is a crucial part of burns management to endure suppleness and to maximise function."
Tears However, the medical teams said all the teenagers would need prolonged care.
The families have praised medical staff and support from the public. "With serious burns injuries cases, patients are not admitted for a couple of days, treated and then discharged," said Mr Dickson.
Katreen Patterson, Kimberley's mother, described her relief at watching her daughter's progress: "It is wonderful to see Kim coming on so well. "Some may need more operations in the future, and they will all need to be reviewed as out-patients until they are at least 18 or 19 years old."
"The best moment for me was seeing her walk down the corridor towards me.
"I wasn't expecting it and I started crying - I was overwhelmed.
Flames and smoke pour from the roof at the height of the blaze
"I want to thank the hospital staff for all they have done, and all the messages of support from so many people, including strangers. It has really helped us over the past few weeks."
The parents of Kira and Anya added their praise for the medical teams in Swansea and Cardiff and said they were "overjoyed" at the girls' improvement.
Mother, Margo Cassel said: "My husband Paul and myself are looking forward to being able to take the girls home, where we will have our Christmas, and Anya's 15th birthday, together with their nine-year old sister, Selina."
Treatment
However, the medical teams say all the teenagers will need prolonged care.
"With serious burns injuries cases, patients are not admitted for a couple of days, treated and then discharged," said consultant, Mr Dickson.
"Some may need more operations in the future, and they will all need to be reviewed as out-patients until they are at least 18 or 19-years-old."
The cause of the fire which gutted the first floor of the mid-terraced house is still being investigated.The cause of the fire which gutted the first floor of the mid-terraced house is still being investigated.
Meanwhile, almost £2,000 has been raised so far for Kira and Anya by well-wishers in Llanelli.