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.

do you not think that should be the case anyway 11122aa? The stigma attached to being accused of any crime, especially if you are innocent, can be life changing. People have committed suicide over the reaction of the public to accusations.

Anyway, I do hope there isn't further litigation in this case. I'm surprised Connie Yates wants to address the judge.

It seems as though he is trying to quash the litigation threat indeed

Francis J: public comments have been based on misunderstandings

I think he is also batting back the claims of delay and putting it in the parents' court.

but I thought Hirano said at beginning of year that Charlie's brain damage made him [Charlie] unsuitable for 'treatment'?

I assume that the evidence that was going to be presented was the chance of coming off the vent was that Hirano's research turned up. If there's no muscle for the nucleosides to act on there's a 0 chance for Charlie to even come off the vent.

Thanks friendly. I was hoping they would have dispersed but realised that was expecting too much of them.

Thanks to everyone on these threads that have been so informative especially with legal and medical info. It's been a great forum for discussion, now it's time to let the Gards deal with their sorrow. Safe journey, wee boy

dos anyon want tweets still

Francis J: it was right of GOSH to bring this case back when it did.

No, still going, absolutely disgusting

The vast majority of this website is deeply opposed to anonymity for those accused of sexual offences.

Sorry, that was to GinSoakedTwitchyPony

Someone on CA is suggesting it's all because of the morphine. Oh dear.

I would say yes please keep posting the tweets from the courtroom so the full story is here.

Another tweet

Francis J: if a doctor is to give evidence to this court that doctor should see the patient first.

Francis J: if a doctor is to give evidence to this court that doctor should see the patient first.

Damn right. It's not acceptable to go and ask for your 1.3 million cash cow when you haven't even seen them or their records. C+C were never medical experts and were in denial, they could not give Hirano an accurate clinical picture by phone.

I am opposed to criminal anonymity. Not sure what it has to do with this though, this isn't a criminal case?

Francis J: if a doctor is to give evidence to this court that doctor should see the patient first.

Looks like Dr Hirano and others have said cannot treat Charlie. So predictable and so very very sad.

They will forever believe that if they had gone to USA earlier they would have had their normal little boy.

May their god bless them all.

Please please don't let the poor parents be encouraged to sue horrific for all.

I am really worried about what Connie might say.

judge is saying hirano hant even com ovr so how cold he assess

parents now have to face reality that it is in Charlie's best interests to die. I confirm orders I made in April.
This setence will get the Americain nutters into a spin.

Judge has confirmed his original declaration made in April

This is the best outcome for Charlie but not for the parents.
I don't believe they will ever find peace while they continue to blame GOSH.
It is all so very sad.

They're still in court. I agree with withdrawing, but not until the session has finished