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.

I also don't think the lawyer was prepared to say those things on her behalf. They are so demonstrably untrue

Para 14 (my emphasis and spacing)
The Judge has said that were his view heeded, mediation would be compulsory.
Those words will not be forgotten by GOSH and more will be done in that regard.
If and when mediation is not wholly successful, it is right that the Court and not any doctor, team or organisation determines a child’s best interests.

Has the pastor commented yet.

I think it's understandable that right now the parents don't want to think that they did all this for nothing. It must be devastating.

I do think their lawyer shoulda reined it in though.

This thread has been heartbreaking and also informative. Extra special thanks to those who shared their personal stories

I don't think this is the end of the bigger discussion re the outside forces that continue to manipulate this tragedy but I agree about stepping away from discussing Charlie specifically now.

Yes, now the reporter is mentioning the bit from the GOSH report about Dr H's financial interest in the treatment. Good

www.gosh.nhs.uk/news/press-releases

The criticism of GOSH has been dreadful.

However if you are pro lifer you surely would want CG to continue living even if he has no brain function?

I don't understand CY's statement that "aside from Charlie's need for ventilation not one organ has 'failed'." Once the lungs fail, everything fails. If the lungs are being artificially ventilated and the child is being constantly medically treated to try to stave off the failure of other organs, you can't claim that everything is working just fine.

Where can I find GOSH position statement

I think this thread should stay.

Elsewhere online the case is being discussed and other forums do not moderate that heavily. Let there be one place where mature discussion can happen. Especially when there is going to be such much negative press for GOSH in the news.

This is a controversial, pressing case and it's not over. We are adults and can manage to have a civilised discussion about the aftermath.

Nothing from the pastor yet I don't think 11122A

Chris Gard did so well with his statement, I could never have held it together to read that out,

They are obviously very upset and I think still hold their opinion that GOSH did not act in time.

He said the Hirano would still be willing to treat him?

Cannot believe the dreadful chanting before they had even gone back inside

I haven't joined these threads before but saw the statement from GOSH . It's utterly damming of the US professor.

Aside from the direct criticism, there's also these.

It is hoped that those who, like the Professor, have provided the opinions that have so sustained Charlie’s parents, their hopes and thus this protracted litigation with its many consequences, will also find much upon which to reflect.

The hospital does not treat its most vulnerable children simply because it can and on no account does it treat them purely because novel treatment furthers GOSH’s research.

Has the guardian's position statement been published yet? I thought the tweets referred to position statements from both GOSH and Charlie's guardian, unless I'm misinterpreting.

I agree flowersour

I would like the threads to stay too

th fact that hirano gave them false hope hasnt even com up its all gosh

an no paper will print it itsnot juicy enough

The GOSH statement clearly sets out how and why the parents had hope.

And I don't blame them for having that after a letter being signed by an 'expert'.

But the professor hadn't even seen Charlie or read his notes ffs. Jesus Christ that part makes me mad on behalf of them.

Pastor has been commenting on his FB page, also posted a photo from inside court, is that allowed?

Actually, his posts have not been at all as inflammatory as previously, thank goodness.

No winners here.

So very sad. I feel for everyone who's been involved in this case.

Hope they all find some peace in that a little boy's suffering is going to end.

No the photo is not allowed.

Has anyone got link to gosh statement made today please.

I hope to God one media outlet will write a fair, balanced account.

If anyone finds something like this, please post it. Good journalism on this case has been horribly lacking and has added fuel to the fire.

Both statements are heartbreaking. I think this thread should stand. There are much wider issues about society as a whole that have been thrown up by this case.

Interesting that GOSH firmly say that the parents were "led to believe" the treatment would give Charlie a chance. Again, the subtext that Hirano and others were doing them no favours.