Charlie Clarke advocates for surgery after congenital chest deformity diagnosis

Charlie Clarke, 26, from County Down, is one of 85 people in Northern Ireland waiting for surgery to correct pectus excavatum, a congenital chest wall deformity that makes the sternum appear sunken. The condition compresses the heart and lungs, causing breathlessness, an elevated heart rate and sometimes fainting. For Charlie, the deformity also created a painful social stigma; she hid in the school bathroom during PE and wore tight dressing gowns at home to mask what she felt was an invisible flaw.

In her teens, Charlie was told she had anxiety instead of a physical problem. It was only at 23, after a clinical technician noted her heart was compressed on a scan, that she was referred to a thoracic surgeon. By then, the condition had progressed beyond the age at which non‑surgical treatments are effective, leaving her with limited options. The delay left her feeling invisible and helpless, a sentiment she described as “hell” when she had to endure the shame of her body.

The waiting list in Northern Ireland is uneven. Most patients have been on the list for less than two years, but five have waited more than five years. The Department of Health has acknowledged the long waits and cited a high volume of patients and competing demands on thoracic surgery services as key factors. To address this, the department secured extra funding for more procedures over the last three years and agreed to a new proposal aimed at reducing both the number of patients on the waiting list and the length of their waits.

Niall McGonigle, a consultant thoracic surgeon in Northern Ireland who had his own pectus deformity as a child, is now treating patients like Charlie. His personal experience gives him a unique understanding of the physical and emotional challenges her patients face. Early diagnosis and timely surgery can prevent long‑term complications and restore confidence. For Charlie, a future operation offers a chance to move from feeling invisible to being seen and heard.