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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Charlie Gard 7

999 replies

CaveMum · 13/07/2017 15:58

Continuation of the discussion.

It looks highly unlikely that there will be a verdict today as GOSH have not yet been able to put their case across. The Gard family had their position heard this morning and currently an expert witness from the US is being questioned via video link.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
jellypi3 · 13/07/2017 16:44

So realistically we are looking at a court adjournment for 1) the US expert to visit and see Charlie for himself and 2) an independent expert to measure Charlie's head, I assume on multiple occasions, so asses if it's not growing in line with expectations.

Let's hope it doesn't go on too long :(

GabsAlot · 13/07/2017 16:44

@SkyFixerJim
1s

Witness suggests that someone with greater expertise could asses whether Charlie's less responsive condition is due to... 1/2

hold on i thought he was the expert

Bourdic · 13/07/2017 16:44

Why shouldn't the lawyers be paid? There's plenty of money available and if there weren't, there would be legal aid.

GabsAlot · 13/07/2017 16:45

..brain disfunction (potentially curable) or brain damage (incurable).

MNHQ
KatherineMumsnet · 13/07/2017 16:45

That's what we're trying to do, GabsALot, we don't like to remove threads - or censor discussion. We do ask that guidelines are stuck to, though.

Fancythat69 · 13/07/2017 16:46

Looks to me like the "expert" is now backtracking

GabsAlot · 13/07/2017 16:46

isnt that th point noon knows how damagd he is

he soun ds like hes making it up now

rabbitnothare · 13/07/2017 16:46

I thought the comments were about the lawyers for GOSH being paid, most people know it's being done pro bono for the Gard family.

I don't know if GOSH have insurance or it comes from their funds.

FlowerSour · 13/07/2017 16:47

Maybe they offered?

It's a sad case. They sometimes do cases like this for free, as it can seem wrong to charge in some instances. Not all firms, but some.

And the publicity for the lawyers. That may not be the reason in this case, but it can be.

Bourdic · 13/07/2017 16:47

Sorry Hodge missed your post - thought they could get legal aid.

jellypi3 · 13/07/2017 16:47

The "expert" needs an expert to tell him what he's seeing...

Ceto · 13/07/2017 16:47

No legal aid available to the parents for this type of case. That is what is so criminal about the legal aid restrictions. But I agree with £1.2 million floating around the lawyers are entitled to payment. They have clearly worked their socks off.

cjt110 · 13/07/2017 16:47

KatherineMumsnet Thanks for your input.

January87 · 13/07/2017 16:48

Looks like the 'expert' witness is trying to weasel his way out of coming over. Wants someone with more expertise to examine Charlie.

PacificDogwod · 13/07/2017 16:48

It is just too horrible how this is being drawn out Sad

Fancythat69 · 13/07/2017 16:48

Witness agrees that to make a final assessment on brain function, the views of a specialist paediatric neurologist should be sought

straighttalker · 13/07/2017 16:48

He is prevaricating.

He is the expert that the CC side have called on. Who is he suggesting would be 'more qualified'.

Like I suspected, he really doesn't want to come over.

jellypi3 · 13/07/2017 16:48

GOSH will have specific insurance for this that will come out of the NHS main Insurance fund.

The barristers will also get a lot of notoriety for working on such a high profile case.

cjt110 · 13/07/2017 16:48

NY expert: the 10% change would be in muscle strength. Small but significant chance of improvement in encephalopathy. Does this mean he may be able to breathe say but cognitively there may be nothing there?

GabsAlot · 13/07/2017 16:48

Witness agrees that to make a final assessment on brain function, the views of a specialist paediatric neurologist should be sought.

FlowerSour · 13/07/2017 16:49

Also the £1.2 million plus is for his treatment. If they really think they have a chance, they won't spend it.

If they do go to America £1.2 million won't last long with a child this ill.

Ceto · 13/07/2017 16:49

Expert wants someone with more expertise to assess whether Charlie's less responsive condition is due to brain dysfunction or brain damage, the former being potentially curable.

I think those people with more expertise would be the highly expert doctors now working night and day with him.

smilingmind · 13/07/2017 16:49

But if the scan is does at GOSH how can it be seen as independent.
Even the person doing the scan could be blamed for somehow fixing it.
Then if they bring in a team from another London hospital to do it then surely they can be accused of bias towards their colleagues as their are very few experts in this field.

unweavedrainbow · 13/07/2017 16:49

Well, to be fair, he's an expert in mitochondrial diseases not a neurologist. No one doctor can know everything about the human body and the brain is so complex.

Venusflytwat · 13/07/2017 16:49

"The view of a paediatric neurologist should be sought"

FFS. Cos all they've got at GOSH are window cleaners and bus driver?!!??