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.

@skyrobcatherall Remaining spaces now being filled by members of the public, including the US preacher Patrick Mahoney who has assisted the campaign

th bloody pastor is n court

Maryz

Please - don't do this to yourself; they're simply not worth it

Remaining spaces now being filled by members of the public, including the US preacher Patrick Mahoney who has assisted the campaign

Dear lord, this is going to be a spectacle

Thanks Ginpony and Puzzled.. seems that there is a crush in the Courtroom..same thing happened with a high profile murder case in Bristol, the Police had to keep order inside the court, and members of public overflowed into the corridor outside.
An Usher relayed the public the verdict.

why are they laughing whats funny

Whether the pastor is present or not, I don't think will mean one ioata. If they heckle, they'll get chucked out.

The ushers will be quick to get anyone out who is disruptive. Expect arrests of anyone being too twatty to set an example.

Also expect the judge to be very clear at the beginning about disruptions.

@JoshuaRozenberg Gard: some press being allowed to stand as video link not working. This court used to have a public gallery but it was removed for offices.

The Preacher is in court. -wonder if he will begin ostentatiously praying-
Such a self -publicist IMHO.

I'm truly shocked at the live video!! What are they on!? It's disgusting!!

I really don't get it.

Instead of wasting time accommodating press and randoms surely they should just get on with it?
It's agony for the parents.

If refused entrance, the pastor would certainly have gone ballistic. I don't admire him pushing himself forward either, but maybe they wanted to avoid giving him any more publicity opportunities?

I think it's preferable for that pastor to be inside the court. He'll have to abide by the law. And as someone who has such absolute contempt for our judicial system that's bound to make him squirm.

@JoshuaRozenberg
Gard: Mr Justice Francis enters court. Grant Armstrong, counsel for Charlie's parents, stands to address him. Parents sit behind Armsrtrong.

@skyrobcatherallCourt now full. Some standing. Hearing starting shortly

Poor parents what a horrendous day for them. Feels awful in a way to be watching this so closely, really really hope that the right decision is made for Charlie in the next 24 hours and that he will be allowed to die with dignity. How did it ever get to this?

@skyrobcatherall Judge in. Apologises for lack of video link

I think the judge will announce that an agreement has been reached and the switch to palliative care will made.

@JoshuaRozenberg Armstrong thanks judge for allowing time for discussions among parties this morning.

@JoshuaRozenberg Armstrong thanks judge for allowing time for discussions among parties this morning. Reason for rescheduling from 10am to 2pm?

I hope so root and hope he announces it quickly, there can be no further false hope surely?

I wondered if that was the reason too - can only hope.

so they wantd more discussions its rally rididuclous