Northern Ireland

Co Antrim conjoined twins who were separated during operation in London `doing well'

Co Antrim conjoined twins Annabelle and Isabelle Bateson, who were separated during surgery in London this week, were last night said to be "doing well". Picture: UTV
Co Antrim conjoined twins Annabelle and Isabelle Bateson, who were separated during surgery in London this week, were last night said to be "doing well". Picture: UTV Co Antrim conjoined twins Annabelle and Isabelle Bateson, who were separated during surgery in London this week, were last night said to be "doing well". Picture: UTV

CONJOINED twins from Co Antrim who were separated during a "lengthy operation" at a London hospital this week were last night said to be "doing well".

Annabelle and Isabelle Bateson from Toomebridge were successful separated during surgery at Ormond Street Hospital for Children on Monday.

The sisters were born at University College Hospital in London in March to parents Hannah and Dan.

The babies, who were joined from the chest to the pelvis, had separate hearts though they shared a liver, bladder and bowel.

Their parents, who had found out at their 12-week scan that there was something different about their pregnancy, had fallen pregnant on their first cycle of fertility treatment.

On Wednesday night, the couple announced on Facebook that their daughters, Annie and Issie, had been separated.

In a post, they wrote that the babies had "did so well", adding: "There is a long recovery in front of them and we expect there to be some bumps along the way but they are strong wee ladies and are being well cared for."

Last night, a spokeswoman for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children said the girls were "doing well".

"Our clinical teams have separated Annabelle and Isabelle during a lengthy operation," she said.

"They are both doing well but have a long recovery ahead of them. The teams are all working hard to give the twins the best care possible and support their family."

A Just Giving page set up online, which aimed to raise £5,000 to help the girls and their family "with the costs they’ll face along this journey", has already surpassed more than £21,600.