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Original poster

Alfie Evans 6

999 replies

CamomileTeaShotofVodka · 26/04/2018 01:49

Following on from the last thread. If there's one already please do delete this one.

Remember not to speculate or make negative comments about the family or discussions will be stopped.

Thoughts are with Alfie tonight Star

Such an important and sensitive topic.

OP posts:
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8
wormery · 26/04/2018 16:10

Browneyed, What do you think moving little Alfie to Italy can offer.

NerrSnerr · 26/04/2018 16:17

@BrownEyedGirlv2point0 it's not about what hospitals and doctors have to lose. It's what's best for Alfie that's the important thing.

GnotherGnu · 26/04/2018 16:19

Browneyed, what they have to lose is that there is a serious risk of Alfie having a seizure in circumstances where he couldn't be treated properly and dying a horrible death mid air; inevitably the journey would cause him a degree of trauma and distress; and all that it would lead to is an operation to put a hole in his trachea and Peg feeding to enable him to live a little longer whilst his organs and brain stem continue to deteriorate and he continues to have repeated seizures.

In other words, something that is not in his best interests in any way, shape or form.

MorningCuppa · 26/04/2018 16:19

Youarenotkiddingme - Thank you, I wanted to watch that, will catch up on it.

wannabestressfree · 26/04/2018 16:20

Just to back up what @GardenersDelight is saying...... I am having/ receiving palliative care because I have a huge tumour that's now crushing me internally and is causing me breathing/ sleeping/ moving and just general life issues. There is no limit to how long it can carry on for though as tumour is thought to be inoperable due to size and other issues so I work, carry on as 'normal' as I can all the while I am slowly being crushed internally to death. It's thrown up some difficult questions for all concerned including my children and it's an unenviable position. At least I can make my own decisions concerning medication etc. I have had two eminent surgeons refuse to operate on me (as a planned procedure) due to percentages and the risk of legal action.

I feel for the AH staff as whatever they do won't be right.
I hope all concerned with the case find peace soon.

PinkSkyAtNightAngelDelight · 26/04/2018 16:20

I don't understand... what does the hospital and doctors have to lose if they let this little boy go to Italy?

Well he could die on the way. And what do you think Italy are going to actually do?

Sonotcivil · 26/04/2018 16:20

Font it funny people saying us medical care is so much better. Oh Yes, people getting into hundreds of thousands of pounds of debt for some procedures. Ladies family would be in millions of pounds worth of debt if in USA but hey let's bash the NHS

taffett · 26/04/2018 16:25

@Wornoutbear that's a different hospital to the one AE is at. Does make you wonder who wanted to steal medical equipment and why though.

RavishMinoux · 26/04/2018 16:26

The BBC is reporting that hospital staff are discussing options for sending Alfie Evans home. This, to me, seems like a clear change in direction, and perhaps for all concerned it might be a good thing? Most importantly, Alfie could be at home with his mother and family, the "army" would probably leave the hospital, or they would be dispersed - meaning that the other sick children and their parents would no longer be harassed and disrupted, and neither would the NHS staff. I think if little Alfie were to pass away at the hospital the implications could be very uncertain and frightening, now that the "army" are so energised and riled up.

Mrsmadevans · 26/04/2018 16:28

Thanks for the link Wornoutbear , l had a read and it doesn't say it was anything to do with Alfie or his army. It could just as easily have been drug addicts demanding drugs or drug administering equipment for example l suppose.

Laiste · 26/04/2018 16:28

what does the hospital and doctors have to lose if they let this little boy go to Italy?

It's not what the doctors have to lose, it's what Alfie will lose. Namely his right to be treated with his own best interests as the basic standard and the baseline from which to work.

If i was in a similar state as Alfie i would want those standards in place to stop things being done to my body simply to appease other peoples feelings.

TerfinUSA · 26/04/2018 16:28

"Seriously? Have you seen the infant mortality statistics in the US?"

The US data show high mortality rates for poor people, however that doesn't preclude them also having better technology for difficult cases.

BuntyII · 26/04/2018 16:29

I also think it best if Alfie goes home. It seems more humane for the family as a whole. They would probably need a community nurse there most if not all of the time I imagine?

kirinm · 26/04/2018 16:30

Yes Terfin - which poor people cannot afford. Certainly people like the family here wouldn't be able to afford the insurance to cover them for treatment in the US.

What benefit is excellent healthcare if it isn't accessible to all?

Sonotcivil · 26/04/2018 16:31

Ah so only rich can get good healthcare got you @TerfinUSA

teaandbiscuitsforme · 26/04/2018 16:31

Longtime lurker

Bunty They're going to need round to clock specialist care - can you seriously think of many HCPs who are going to put themselves into that vulnerable position?

derxa · 26/04/2018 16:32

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/26/nhs-palliative-care-alfie-evans-die-with-dignity#comments
An informed article and interesting comments from the Guardian.

Blobby10 · 26/04/2018 16:33

Buntyll from comments on other threads, I believe that taking Alfie 'home' is not as simple as it sounds as his parents don't live together and have been camping on friends and relatives sofas for the past 16 months.

If it was possible then yes, this would be a lovely thing to do for the parents.

x2boys · 26/04/2018 16:33

Regarding US medical care it may well be a lot better but I have a child with a rare chromosome disorder it was simple here inn the UK his paediatrician ordered blood tests and he was diagnosed and myself and dh were also tested for it I'm in a facebook group for parents of children with similar or the same condition and some of the US parents have struggled to get their insurance company to pay for the blood tests , so if they won't pay for blood tests would they really pay for all the treatment alfies been having indefinitely?

BuntyII · 26/04/2018 16:35

I'm not sure @teaandbiscuitsforme. Community HCPs often work in difficult circumstances. I wouldn't be up to the task but that's not to say there's no one who wouldn't provide care in the home. Plus it's not like you can choose who you treat when you're a HCP

derxa · 26/04/2018 16:35

I believe that taking Alfie 'home' is not as simple as it sounds as his parents don't live together and have been camping on friends and relatives sofas for the past 16 months. But where is this information coming from? Who said it?

Want2bSupermum · 26/04/2018 16:35

Gnother I am not talking about access. I'm talking about the technology and process. It's not just the US either. Canada and Denmark are much further advanced compared to the NHS in terms of treatment available.

An example of a difference in process is when you are at end of life care the family receive grief counseling once it's been determined the illness is most probably going to be terminal.

An example of technology is proton therapy.

Sonotcivil · 26/04/2018 16:36

Well said x2boys. USA may have great healthcare but only for those that can afford it. So hey ours may not be perfect but at least it's free at point of use. Hmm

BuntyII · 26/04/2018 16:36

@Blobby10 that's also a valid point. If they were to take him to a relatives home there's no guarantee they would have a restful environment for him.

Doyoumind · 26/04/2018 16:37

It's been discussed on here already, but the unfortunate truth is that Alfie would have gone home or to a hospice a long time ago under normal circumstances. What has made that more difficult is what has gone on in this case. I too hope he goes home and I hope that he's given the opportunity for a calm and dignified death.