A 10-year-old boy left “abandoned” by an NHS trust after being hit by a bus is set to finally receive the therapy he needs, his mother says.

Harrison Sahlah suffered a brain injury following the “horrifying” incident on Sandgate Esplanade near Folkestone.

About eight police cars, a fire engine, paramedics and an air ambulance were called at about 6.15pm on June 29.

Harrison, who was taken to King’s College Hospital in London, spent eight days in an induced coma and doctors warned his family he may have a significant disability.

Four months on, the Mundella Primary School pupil is making good progress but his injury means he struggles with everyday tasks.

Since leaving hospital he has had assessments which found he will need occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, as well as educational psychology.

But mum Kelly Sahlah says she had to fight to finally get Harrison accepted by East Kent Hospital Trust (EKHT).

She explained: “We were initially knocked back by EKHT’s department for children’s and young people’s therapy service as they advised they would not be needed as Chailey Clinical Services or The Children's Trust would be providing him with support.

“But The Children’s Trust couldn't help because the local integrated care board wouldn't fund it as they said there were services locally.

“But we were refused for the services locally.

“We just felt abandoned, like he was never going to get any help and I was contacting everyone I could and nobody would help and I thought he would be left behind.”

Despite the initial refusal, Harrison has now been accepted by the children and young people therapy services and will start receiving additional support at home and in school, and will be seen by specialists at The Beacon Folkestone.

But Mrs Sahlah says it should not have taken as long.

“I'm feeling relieved now knowing the problems he struggles with will be addressed and he is going to get the support he needs,” she added.

“I am so grateful to King’s College Hospital for stepping in to fight our corner, they are not obliged to but they had an early neuropsychology assessment last week so that we could get a report to fight for his care.

“I think the only reason they accepted the referral is because we had to fight and push.

“I luckily know how these things work because I have worked in medical transcription for so many years, but if I didn't know what he should be having, I think we would still be in a position where he wouldn't have any help.

“With brain injuries in children, they say it's key to get rehab support as soon as possible because it's the most critical period right at the beginning of the injury for them to get support.”

Harrison is now back at school and his teachers have been providing him with one-to-one support as his needs have changed since the accident.

“If you meet him, you would think he's absolutely fine, but when you scratch below the surface he gets really muddled,” explained Mrs Sahlah.

“The other day he tried to put rubbish in the freezer, he went to pour his drink in the bin rather than down the sink and he gets frustrated and doesn't understand why he can't understand.

“And there are big personality changes. He's much more boisterous and it's like he's six years old now. It's not like he's 10. And I think he's aware, but he still doesn't understand.

“And not being able to do the things that he used to be able to do is frustrating for him.

“He needs so much more help with everything now.

“He is making progress. But a child's brain is still developing. There may be things that crop up a few years down the line that we don't realise have been affected yet.”

In a statement, a spokesman for EKHT said it “appreciates the time taken by multiple organisations has regretfully caused distress to Harrison's family”.

“We always aim to ensure that patients are seen by the most appropriate service for their needs,” they added.

“A referral to our service was accepted following further assessment.”

A spokesman for NHS Kent and Medway said “making sure children have access to the right support for their needs is a priority for us”.

“He needs so much more help with everything now…”

“There are a number of services available across Kent and Medway to support children who need additional help,” they added.

“If a child needs further continuing support from a specialist service then an application is made to NHS Kent and Medway for funding.

“This application is assessed based on a number of criteria, including whether the needs of the child are already being met through existing services.”

Bus operator Stagecoach says its investigation into the incident is complete, and police say they are not investigating.