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.

sorry i cant agree with window of oppturnity has been lost

thats still blaming gosh

Accurate reporting from sky news (?!) about gosh seeking the therapy before he began fitting. To counteract the "goshs fault for leaving it too late" accusations.

Well done sky news (checking my own temperature now!!)

So sad and yet so relieved, god what a dreadful case.

LapinR0se Against who? GOSH?

Will the proceedings now be closed or will GOSH's counsel speak?

Joshua Rozenberg‏Verified account @JoshuaRozenberg 38s39 seconds ago
More
Armstrong: parents want to establish foundation for others.

i'm still worried about the backlack this will cause to GOSH and those involved. I feel from the tweets there is a lot of anger around this outcome.

Why is no one outside the courts telling those 'supporters' to stop chanting their awful messages?

Is there any truth to the assertion that lost time cost Charlie the chance of effective treatment? I'm assuming that he didn't have a chance even if he'd had it early on.

The stage is being set to sue GOSH.

redshoeblueshoe, thanks, I am so glad they have saw sense, I really feel for them, they are loosing a child,but they have made the right choice.

Looks like they want to set up a foundation for children like Charlie to be treated in future.

Yes against GOSH. He is saying that the window of opportunity was missed and that is why treatment is futile.

My thoughts are with Charlie and his parents and I hope they are able to make some peaceful final memories.

I think admin have to shut down the CA fb page, I think too many are too invested and will be continually asking when things are going to happen or even worse suggest vigils outside GOSH etc.

Sorry that was the latest tweet on my feed.

A foundation is a fitting memorial

Sky also very disparaging about the religious right clamping on to this in the US

Those poor, poor parents. What a brave and gut wrenching decision to make. I hope that they are able to spend the next few days making precious memories with their son. They can say goodbye knowing that they did everything possible to save him. Extra big cuddles coming for DD when she wakes today, while I get a big dose of perspective and mindfulness about how bloody fortunate I am to have a healthy child.

what delay?

noon woul treat him u cant force doctors to do it

What window of opportunity? Unfortunately, there is no cure at this time.

I fear that this is not over yet.

A heart-breaking decision for them to make; I hope they find peace now & can be left alone to spend time with their precious baby & come to terms with things. They look ill. A sad but brave decision.

Wow.

Massive respect for his parents. Heartbreaking all around.

Absolutely heartbroken for them! Even though I believe in my heart it is the right outcome for little Charlie, I am in tears, I just hope they will be ok, I send them all of my love and best wishes and really do hope they can help each other through this awful, heartbreaking time.

All commenting is now definitively turned off in Charlie's Army from what I can see

Absolutely agree lapin re: further litigation

To be fair to the parents, none of us can say whether there was a window of opportunity and whether it was lost or not. We don't have access to the records and we're not medical experts.