Charlie Gard 15

[cjt110]

This is a thread following the legal and ethical questions raised by the recent court case involving Charlie Gard.

Please could we refrain from insulting or otherwise "bashing" his parents. It isn't in the spirit of Mumsnet and will get the threads removed.

Please could we also remember that at the heart of this case is a terminally ill baby and his heartbroken parents. There are those participating in and watching this thread for whom these issues are painful. Please let's try and be mindful of them when we post. This isn't a place for name calling or trivialising the very real pain they feel. Many parents of severely disabled children are on here.

Lastly, here are some hopefully useful reference points of facts surrounding the case.

13 July GOSH position statement on latest hearing (includes update on Charlie's condition):
www.gosh.nhs.uk/file/23611/download?token=aTPZchww

7 July GOSH statement on Charlie:
www.gosh.nhs.uk/news/latest-press-releases/latest-statement-charlie-gard

June 2017 Supreme Court decision:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6rPmvGlNhA&app=desktop

May 2017 Court of Appeal Decision:
www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2017/410.html

April 2017 High Court Decision:
www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Fam/2017/972.html

GOSH FAQ page on Charlie:
www.gosh.nhs.uk/frequently-asked-questions-about-charlie-gard-court-case

Timeline so far

August 4, 2016 Charlie born 8lb 3oz to Connie Yates and Chris Gard.

October 2016 Tests reveal mitochondrial depletion syndrome.
Believed to be only 16th sufferer in the world of rare strain.

Autumn 2016 Miss Yates finds specialist in US testing nucleoside therapy, but it has never been tried on Charlie’s rare type.

January Gosh doctors say drug would be futile because of irreversible brain damage. Parents contact US doctor.

March Gosh asks High Court to let Charlie die. Mr Justice Francis gives parents a month to make case for treatment. Daily Mail readers help raise £197,000 in days to help fly Charlie to US.

April Doctors say he is likely to be in pain. Judge rules Gosh should let him die.

May Court of Appeal upholds ruling. Parents appeal to Supreme Court.

June Supreme Court rejects appeal. On June 27, European judges back decision. Gosh gives parents more time with Charlie. Pope Francis intervenes, followed by Donald Trump on July 3.

July 7 Seven scientists hand Gosh fresh evidence showing higher survival chances.

July 10 Mr Justice Francis gives parents 48 hours to produce new evidence in case.

July 13 US specialist Dr Michio Hirano invited to London by High Court

July 17 Dr Hirano examines Charlie.

July 21 Court told scan results ‘very sad’.

Today, 24 July, High Court due to rule on the case, ten days before Charlie’s birthday.

Delurking to say how sad I am and how brave Chris and Connie have been today. Just heartbreaking.

My heart breaks for them but this is the correct decision.

Heartbreaking decision, but glad that Charlie's parents have made the decision themselves.

Poor little Charlie, may he pass quietly and without further suffering.

How tremendously, gut-wrenchingly sad, and how brave of the parents to make such a decision in their son's best interests.

It is such a brave decision.

I'm really glad that the parents have withdrawn their request. They clearly have had Charlie's best interests at heart throughout, but they've now seen medical evidence to show he simply wasn't well enough and the treatment would not have succeeded.

Hopefully they're given a lot of support and can spend Charlie's remaining time at his side.

I admire their bravery so much. May they find peace at last and my thoughts are with that beautiful little boy and the staff caring for him.

to the family.

Lurked throughout these threads.
Thank you everyone for contributions which have explained things for me that I didn't always understand.
My DD1 is at GOSH and they have been amazing. Been very sad, and at times angry to see the anger against them.
Overwhelming sense of relief that it's over and my thoughts and love are with Charlie's family.

I sincerely hope their 'supporters' back off and let them grieve in peace. Whether I agree with their choices or not, they have been to hell and part of them won't ever come back. They did everything they possibly could. I wish it could be different for them.

God bless Connie Chris and Charlie

Tears welled up when I just read the JR tweets.

I cannot imagine how Connie and Chris must be feeling. I wish there was something we could do, somewhere. I hope they realised how much they have fought for their son and that they find peace.

I hope those around C&C can/will support them properly.

Oh for the love of God, someone remove those idiots outside........

@JoshuaRozenberg

Armstrong discusses recent tests. Friday evening: parents told results. Reviewed by Prof Hirano in US. Other experts considered them.

Hopefully someone will move the BA away so the parents don't have to come out and listen to their crap.

They have made absolutely the right decision for their child. How brave of them.
How desperately sad the whole thing.

The nutters with the balloons need to stop right now. The shouting will not help the parents at all.

@JoshuaRozenberg

Armstrong: the parents were naturally extremely distressed by the results of the tests.

I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes. C&C have been so, so brave

I'm crying here. I am so relieved that Charlie's plight is now over but I am so sorry for those poor parents. Despite the rights and the wrongs of this case they now need our compassion. I hope they find peace and can find some measure of comfort in their last hours with Charlie.

I hope the police removing the people shouting outside the courts

Maryz this is horrific, just seen on the feed, someone needs to stop the rent a mob.

@JoshuaRozenberg

Charlie has suffered extensive muscular atrophy. This is irreversible even with NBT. Chance of improvement can't now be delivered.

I do feel for his parents but they have made the right decision, I hope they are allowed to grieve in peace.