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.

Goodnight sweet Charlie, 'may clouds of Angels sing thee to thy rest'. Bless you and your Mum and Dad.

The protestors are shouting "justice for Charlie" outside. Between that and a hedge cutter outside my window, I can't actually hear the reporter.

The comments on FB are just as shocking! Blaming GOSH still!!
I hope the dancers outside court are told and can move away before the family come out x

Those poor parents. The poor staff at GOSH and poor Charlie.

Have read every thread but not commented until now. How very brave of the parents, it would have been a heartbreaking decision under any circumstances but in the light of the (idiotic and truly despicable at times) CA and other hangers in they have had their decision made a thousand times harder. Truly sorry but also relieved and hope the family can now have peace x

FYI Muscle atrophy is when muscles waste away. The main reason for muscle wasting is a lack of physical activity.

They found the courage, I so hope they get the support they need.

@JoshuaRozenberg
"For Charlie, it is too late. The damage has been done... It is no longer in Charlie's best interests to pursue this course of treatment."

You know, this is almost certain to lead to litigation, Armstrong has basically said as much.

But, despite how `awful that will be, the truth is that that little boy will be at peace, and his parents will help him pass without thinking that there is any chance for him.

And anyone with half a heart has to feel relief at that.

Very sad news.
Dont think we need to know how the parents are reacting in court. That is unescerceary.

Backlash already against GOSH on the CA page, I have messaged the admin to ask them to stop this. It's going to make C&C feel worse.

I hope they feel relief and can spend some peaceful time with him now.

I would imagine the case may well be completed today

How very brave of them. My heart holds those two and baby Charlie. I cannot imagine the grief.

*@JoshuaRozenberg

Armstrong: the parents' worst fears have been confirmed by their international team of experts.

I hope they can't hear the idiots outside.

I hope CA leave them the fuck alone after this.

My parents had to make this decision when my sibling was only a few days old. My heart goes out to C&C and anyone else in this situation. It is a terrible thing to go through.

CA were supportive for about a minute, now have flicked into blaming GOSH.

That FB page needs to be shut. Now. That poor family, what a brave call to make.

I actually feel sick that the parents have had to go through such a public ordeal as today. Surely they could have withdraw the application behind closed doors? My heart is aching for them.

Poor parents. But thank God they reached this decision. Hopefully they can be taken out of the court by a different door so they don't have to see the CA idiots.

*@JoshuaRozenberg
Armstrong: parents asked for no publicity until now.

^^ And how great this was respected for them to digest the news.

@JoshuaRozenberg

Armstrong: there has been mediation with GOSH this morning and those discussions may continue into tomorrow.

I know this is the right decision for Charlie, but I'm completely choked reading the tweets. Those poor parents, they've made a very difficult and brave decision. I hope they can find some peace and are given the space to grieve for their little boy.

While majoirty of the tweets under Rosenberg's tweets are deeply sympthetic to the parents they are a view blaming GOSH and the goverment for getting what they see is their way.

Why will there be litigation?