Charlie Gard 18

[cjt110]

Ok guys, we have been very lucky to discuss this, please lets not give anyone anything to complain about, Mhq have been more than accomodating.

@JoshuaRozenberg
2m
Gard: Court now adjourned to await arrival of the family’s specialist doctor.

The week outside of GOSH that CY wanted also seems to have been removed as any sort of viable option. And now the only issue is agreement by 12:00 tomorrow or the judge rules??

Moving that child with all the parephenalia and possible discomfort/pain to him seems so unnecessary and a bit cruel TBH.

Anywhere but GOSH it seems doesn't matter about the child.

Apologies if I have broken any rules but I am very cross.

From the DM so may not be accurate. Presumably was said yesterday.

Another option is a hospice and one has agreed to help. But Miss Gollop said British hospices were not 'licensed or insured' to take someone with Charlie's needs overnight, so he would need to die the same day he arrived – in defiance of the parents' wishes to spend 'a few precious days' with him.

I also cant believe the lawyer wouldn't call in an actual specialist in the field to discuss treating him in a hospice

They obviously couldn't find one prepared to do it.

You have to begin wondering how true the stuff was about GOSH and other nurses being willing to work with them in the hospice.

JF said he would rule today unless there was substantial new evidence

I feel like we've heard that too many times now

I think JF wants to be able to say that no stone was left unturned, but he's allowing CY to turn over every pebble on Chesil Beach!

I really can't understand how someone who was meant to be a specialist was actually not and how it could come to court. It feels so much like grasping at straws

I really, really hope this case doesn't set a precedent for other relatives of terminally ill patients to insist upon endless intervention and use the courts to grant those wishes.

I'm in end of life care (of mostly elderly people) and know the value of a well managed, dignified and peaceful end of life plan. It benefits both the patient and their loved ones and is something that we would want for ourselves.

To be forced to care for someone who is experiencing unknown levels of unrelieved pain and not allowing them to go on their way peacefully is extremely stressful and upsetting

The patient comes first. Always.

I agree with you nauticant
We must remember that this couple may one day be in need of gosh again.
Also Ive heard of hospital specialists becoming gps later.

I really don't think Charlie should be moved. Anything likely to cause him further discomfort with no possible benefit to him should not even be a consideration. Right now he is as stable and comfortable as can be made possible thanks to the care of GOSH and that's how it should stay to the moment he passes away.

I wonder if GOSH will still have an interest in Charlie when he goes to the Hospice - just thinking that C&C may start claiming they disagree with the hospice and relations have broken down..and so the circus starts again but with a different medical setting/team....

Both very valid points.

They certainly know how to play the system. Why isn't cg there to support cy? Afterall this has got to be the most emotional time?
And as for rest to be private. Fine I think all the court cases should have been private but when offered privacy yesterday cy didn't want it. Now all of a sudden she does.

I think it was yesteray or this morning the judge asked to see the doctor's CV so am surprised this has come up now.

It was this afternoon, shortly after the hearing started. I don't think the judge knew of his existence till then, or maybe just beforehand if Armstrong produced a position statement.

He should have checked Ceto - you're an officer of the court. Plus most solicitors/barristers want to at least appear professional

One of the hardest bits of the job is actually staying calm under pressure and checking these things; even with the clients screeching at you.

To be fair, the solicitors take responsibility for this too. But most barristers don't want to stand up and basically look like a total fanny in front of the court let alone the whole world. Particularly in such a sad case which should be afforded the utmost respect

I don't understand. Has a definite decision made that he will be moved

Court has risen again with Connie seemingky breaking down+shouting at judge. Her mum has just gone in to comfort her. Legal teams have gone.

Connie breaking down and shouting at judge

I am so angry and upset for Charlie now but cannot post what I would like to.

I am not particularly impressed with the Judge either.

Oh, her mum is there

I was wondering if she's alone, alone

I think GOSH had already formulated a plan for moving to a hospice and found a hospice. That end of life care plan was already in place, so I presume from what their counsel has been saying that they still feel it is appropriate, hence they think it is okay for their team to move him. But as I understood it, it would be move to hospice and extubation within 6-7 hours, as was discussed yesterday. And the date mentioned there was end of the week -- GOSH seem to have been consistently sticking to that.

I throught it was said earlier by Armstrong it's hard as Connie is at court alone and he used that as an arguement but now her mum is with her.

Actually, yes, GPs do sometimes (or even quite often) specialise in something else too.

For example, one GP at our practice also works in anaesthetics one day per week and another runs a dermatology clinic at the local hospital.

It may be therefore that the found GP does have some experience in either paediatrics or ICU. It wouldn't really make him an expert it in though I wouldn't think. Not sufficiently anyway.

Connie breaking down and shouting at judge

Nothing new there then, a revolving door nightmare for all concerned.

Glad she isn't alone
So grateful I'm not actually part of this nightmare