Welcome to Flyertalk Squeezed, welcome to the BA forum in particular, it's great to have you here. Thanks for the post, even though it must have been a worrying experience for you and your mother. It sounds like she was well cared for and I hope it worked out ok (and hopefully no bill to pay for it either!). I'm sure some people would have found the diversion a nuisance but of course if it was their parent involved it puts that into perspective. Welcome on board, please continue to post.

I once talked to a CSD who had been involved in a diversion on his previous flight from NYC. They diverted to St. Johns in Canada specifically because that airport is particularly well suited to handle diversions, from both a speed and patient care perspective. Somehow they managed to do that and still arrive on time into LHR, they were on the ground for barely 10 minutes. Virgin also try to divert to St. Johns if they can.