Charlie Gard (to move, to eat, health care)

[Brave New World]

Originally Posted by dizzybint

He did have the scan done earlier though at eight weeks it seems.......his mother Connie has said this.

She told Good Morning Britain: “We are not bad parents, we are there for him all the time, we are completely devoted to him and he's not in pain and suffering, and I promise everyone I would not sit there and watch my son in pain and suffering, I couldn't do it.”

Charlie needs another scan to show if his skull has grown, the hospital is saying there has not been normal growth, whilst Connie Yates claims she has used a tape measure and there has been growth.

An MRI Scan would be more accurate and could be compared to the last one when he was 8 weeks old (2 months old).

Charlie is now over 10 months old.

As for pain, Charlie is locked in it's own world, he can not make a noise or cry, hear, see, move, eat or breathe unaided, so it would be difficult to know what level of pain Charlie is in, however GOSH have a lot of experience when it comes to such issues and the staff are very much committed to Charlie and his welfare.

[Brave New World]

Originally Posted by african ninja

I wonder if right wingers in the US are going to use this to bash the British healthcare system the same way they used the Joseph Maraachli incident to bash the Canadian system.

The US Right has already waded in, blaming everything on single payer healthcare and the usual nonsense about death panels.

Originally Posted by Telegraph

Mike Pence, the US vice president, has also waded into the row, using Charlie’s case to insist a universal healthcare system would not work in the US.

Mr Pence told an American radio programme, hosted by a right-wing talk show host Rush Limbaugh: “The heartbreaking story of the 11-month-old Charlie Gard in England is a story of single-payer healthcare.

“We hope and pray that little Charlie Gard gets every chance, but the American people oughta reflect on the fact that for all the talk on the left about single-payer, that’s where it takes us”


Hospitals refuse to take Charlie Gard as relations between his parents and Great Ormond Street plummet

[Star10101]

I have such conflicting views about this. You can see things from both sides...

First of all, you can't blame the parents for wanting to do everything possible to save their child's life. Isn't all life precious... especially that of a child, who is just starting out in life? Shouldn't he be given a chance, a least? Even if it is a very slim chance of any treatment working. Or should we just give up on everyone when they are ill?

Of course, Charlie's illness is extremely serious and rare. You would think that one of the best childrens' hospitals, Great Ormond Street, would know what they were dealing with. If they say that a child is in pain and has no quality of life, then this should be taken seriously. The parents saying that Charlie's skull has grown - are they, sadly, clutching at straws? Is there any medical evidence of this? Are the parents just prolonging Charlie's life, to a life of pain and suffering? So many questions...

Having said that, I think the parents should be allowed to have other doctors, from other countries, at least come to see Charlie, to see if any treatment may help him. It may be futile of course.

This case is so very sad, and my own view is that Charlie may die in the meantime, whilst his parents and the courts are battling it out.

[pbobcat]

Originally Posted by african ninja

I wonder if right wingers in the US are going to use this to bash the British healthcare system the same way they used the Joseph Maraachli incident to bash the Canadian system.

It's already happened. Check out Winterfell's post on the World forums

[albion]

Dr Hirano, the expert from the US will arrive in the UK today. I've read that Dr Hirano has been involved with Charlie's case since April and according to GOSH's QC he was welcome to examine Charlie at any time since January, but he declined.

Also read that Charlie's parents instructed their own expert to assess their son's condition in April. He reached the same conclusions about Charlie's condition as the specialists whom GOSH had consulted.

The judge wants a clinical ethicist to chair the meeting at GOSH after Dr Hirano's examination, so as to to ensure that the clinicians can speak freely in Connie Gard's presence. The parents however are not happy about this, and the judge is getting a bit irritated as he's bent over backwards to try to help them.

[Brave New World]

The US Doctor who visited Great Ormond Street Hospital and Charlie Gard has failed to convince British Doctors and experts.

Charlie Gard doctors remain 'unconvinced' after flying visit by US neurosurgeon who said he could treat him - Telegraph

[Razza94]

Originally Posted by african ninja

I wonder if right wingers in the US are going to use this to bash the British healthcare system the same way they used the Joseph Maraachli incident to bash the Canadian system.

It's already happened. Despite the fact that it's more of a legal/human rights issue, than a universal healthcare issue.

Besides, isn't Great Ormond Street Hospital a private institution?

[Brave New World]

Originally Posted by Razza94

It's already happened. Despite the fact that it's more of a legal/human rights issue, than a universal healthcare issue.

Besides, isn't Great Ormond Street Hospital a private institution?

The latest news is that the Americans have affored Charlie Gard and his parents US Citizenship.

Although the US Congress has no jurisdiction when it comes to the UK, and the High Court ruling states he can not be moved from the hospital and the US Authorities can not override a High Court Judge or the UK Surpreme Court or the European Court of Human Rights.

Originally Posted by London Evening Standard

However it is understood that the 11-month-old still cannot be removed from Great Ormond Street hospital (GOSH) without the permission of the UK courts despite the US move.

Whitehall sources said the visa offer would make no difference as he is not allowed to travel to the US under an existing court direction.

The hospital today said it was aware of the visa offer but said it was a matter for the courts to decide.

Charlie Gard and parents given 'US citizenship', but court ruling blocks baby from being taken from hospital - Evening Standard

The experts at Great Ormond Street Hospital are not convinved that the treatment will be of any benefit and will just put the child through more pain and it looks like this will be the evidence put before Mr Justice Francis at the High Court, whilst I don't think a possible 10% improvement in relation to a drug that has not even been tested properly in relation to Charlies condition is going to sway the Judge.

Charlie Gard doctors remain 'unconvinced' after flying visit by US neurosurgeon who said he could treat him - Telegraph

The US can not just override British Law and indeed International Law.

The High Court Judges decision will be final, as the UK Surpeme Court and European Court of Human Rights have already made final decisions, and it is unlikely that the Court of Appeal will allow a second appeal if the evidence is found to be unsatifactory at the High Court yet again.

[Brave New World]

A new comprehensive four hour MRI scan o Charlie Gards brain has made very sad reading. The case will conclude on this Monday and Tuesday, and it looks increasingly like Charlie Gard will remain in he care of Great Ormond Street Hospital t receve palliative (life ending) care before his ife support machines are eventually switched off.

Charlie Gard case: Latest report 'makes sad reading' - BBC News

New Charlie Gard scan makes for 'sad reading'

Charlie Gard's parents break down as they are told latest scan is 'very sad' - Telegraph

[Star10101]

I can't believe some of the staff at Great Ormond Street are getting death threats over this now...

Charlie Gard: Death threats sent to Great Ormond Street staff - BBC News