Football legend Graeme Souness anger at NHS over care for 'butterfly skin' girl Isla

Published: 21:50, 26 May 2026 | Updated: 21:58, 26 May 2026 Football legend Graeme Souness has criticised a Scots health board for leaving his good friend in limbo over her future treatment options. The 73-year-old Scotland hero fears budgets are prioritised ahead of care after learning Isla Grist, who has the rare skin condition epidermolysis bullosa (EB), will lose her care package when she turns 18. The teenager, from the Black Isle in Ross-shire, currently receives care at home from paediatric services three times a week including hours of painful bandage changes. She requires a specialist provision from trained nurses who understand the mental and physical complexities of her ‘incredibly fragile’ skin – often called butterfly skin.  But the service will be axed once she turns 18 this summer, and NHS Highland left her family in the dark over what happens next. Souness, who is president of the EB charity DEBRA, has now stepped in demanding answers. Graeme Souness with Isla Grist, who has the rare skin condition epidermolysis bullosa (EB) Isla requires a specialist provision from trained nurses who understand the mental and physical complexities of her ‘incredibly fragile’ skin He said he could ‘not accept’ Isla has been left in the dark and added: ‘Isla has only ever known pain.  'There is now a question as to whether the support she’s relied on all her life, vital support that manages her condition as best as possible, will continue.’ He added: ‘This can’t be in question. I cannot accept this. This is life-giving support.  'And without it, what sort of life is she going to have? We must solve this for Isla and others like her living with the pain of EB.’ The teen’s mother, Rachael, said Isla has ‘one of the worst types of EB’ and added: ‘Until now, the service we’ve received has been excellent. But this lack of communication, this blanket silence, has been totally unacceptable.’ A spokesman for NHS Highland said it was ‘engaging directly with the family and progressing plans’ to ensure the care required is ready ‘as transition between child and adult services takes place’. Ms Grist added: ‘After I told them the Daily Mail were looking into the story, they appear to have suddenly rallied, and are now looking at whether a company based in London can deliver Isla’s healthcare. ‘Nobody’s care should be dependent on the threat of media involvement. I’m now concerned they’re rushing a solution that needs careful consideration.’ No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.