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31 replies

mothernature · 30/09/2004 10:45

Parents in 'right-to-life' fight
The parents of a seriously ill premature baby will go to the High Court on Thursday to battle for their daughter's right to treatment.
Charlotte Wyatt weighed just one pound when she was born 11 months ago.

She has serious heart and lung problems, and has already stopped breathing three times but been revived.

Doctors say she should be allowed to die if her breathing stops again, but her parents, Darren, 32, and Debbie, 23, want her to be resuscitated.

They argue that, as she has survived this far, Charlotte - who measured just five inches when born - must be given every assistance to help her live.

But doctors say she will not survive beyond infancy because her lungs are so severely damaged.

Charlotte was born when her mother was 26 weeks pregnant, has never left hospital and is fed through a tube as she cannot suck from a bottle.

She also needs a constant supply of oxygen.

Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust says that while parents can decide what treatment is given to their child, they cannot insist on inappropriate treatment which would bring more suffering than benefits.

Anonymity

Cases such as this are very rare, and are usually heard in private.

But, earlier this week, Mr and Mrs Wyatt - both committed Christians from Buckland, Portsmouth - were given permission for their case to be heard in public.

Trust managers agreed the case should be discussed openly.

It is anxious to reassure the public about the treatment it offers and the decisions it makes.

However, the judge banned the media from identifying the individual medical staff caring for Charlotte and the independent expert witnesses who are to be called to give evidence.

The experts had expressed fears they would be targeted by pro-life lobbyists unless they were allowed to remain anonymous.

The case is expected to last two days.

OP posts:
JuniperDewdrop · 07/10/2004 23:15

oh wizzymum ((((hugs)))) Thank you so much for sharing xx

marthamoo · 07/10/2004 23:23

wizzysmum - I can only imagine what you've been through - I'm very lucky. I'm glad that you can look back on what happened and know you made the right decision - I hope baby Charlotte's parents reach that stage eventually too. It's just a nightmare

jampot · 07/10/2004 23:25

whizzymum - that;s so sad

GeorginaA · 08/10/2004 08:05

whizzymum just wanted to add my love to this thread. You touched on the death of your baby on another thread earlier, and I just wanted to say thank you for sharing that. You've brought tears to my eyes.

edam · 08/10/2004 11:21

Whizzymum, I really appreciate your post. Think it's really important to hear from parents who have actually been in a similar situation that the rest of us can only imagine (thank fully). So sorry to hear about your baby.

MeanBean · 08/10/2004 11:28

Threads like this really bring it home to me just how lucky I am. Thanks Whizzymum.

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