Soldato
He's dying. Does it matter to you where he dies? The parents want him to die with them instead of some sterile hospital without his family around 24/7. I'd rather die at home with my loved ones rather than in some hospital, wouldn't you?
Charlie Gard
- Thread starter glenimp617
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He's dying. Does it matter to you where he dies? The parents want him to die with them instead of some sterile hospital without his family around 24/7. I'd rather die at home with my loved ones rather than in some hospital, wouldn't you?
Soldato
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Aye and the ventilator he is one won't fit through the front door.
There is no paeds consultant available to be at home with him, to administer the relief he may require in his last hours.
So... he goes to a hospice.
Soldato
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Lawyers right, there have been many appearances in court, were the barristers all pro bono as well?
Caporegime
The parents want him to spend a few days at home before turning off his ventilator. The amount of resources that requires is huge. Those are resources that could be used to help sick kids, not keeping a child alive for the parents gratification.
You'd have to find a Consultant Paediatric Intensivist willing to be available 24/7, along with nurses and all the equipment for an unspecified time. What do you do when the parents aren't ready and want a few more days, or a week? Then when you disagree the parents take you to court. Good luck finding someone who agrees to that.
It's not unusual to take a child home at die at home, but that is usually getting settled in and turning the ventilator off soon after arriving, not a few days later.
Soldato
No, he should die at home. How do you know the ventilator won't fit the door? Have you been to their house and took measurements and then the width of a standard ventilator? Yeah, thought not. Stop talking rubbish and just admit that his parents should be with him in his final moments at home.
Caporegime
This was mentioned by GOSH, I saw it mentioned in the press too.
There are smaller portable ventilators we use for transport but they're not designed for use for more than a few hours.
Soldato
Fine then let him use them and die in peace with his family around him.
Caporegime
That's not what the family want though, they want several days at home.
Caporegime
BBC reporting they've agreed to go a hospice and to keep him alive for another week there.
Not sure that's the last of it but hope so.
Edit:
Sounds like they can't find an intensivist to go and look after him for a week at the hospice though, so there may still be issues
Not sure that's the last of it but hope so.
Edit:
Sounds like they can't find an intensivist to go and look after him for a week at the hospice though, so there may still be issues
Soldato
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It was on the six o'clock news last night.
Along with the statement in court from the mother that she wanted to employ private nurses for Charlie's last days, and then recoup the cost from the NHS later.
Perhaps you wish to investigate the statements that have been presented as fact, and do a little research before calling someone out for reporting what has been stated in court.
-edit once that tube is withdrawn, he won't last long, the family want the tube kept in place for a while to give them time with him, they need a specialist there, they can't get one.
They are hoping one will volunteer overnight.
Soldato
It's my opinion. Different than yours but still my right to have it. Perhaps you should show a little empathy.
Caporegime
Empathy is all well and good but the actual practicalities of what they're asking can't be met because no one wants to get caught up in the mess the parents have crafted the last few months.
Even going to a hospice they can't find an intensivist to agree to keep him alive for the week they want, let alone at their home.
Caporegime
It's not an opinion when you're arguing with someone over whether the ventilator will fit through the door. You don't get to hold opinions on the laws of physics. If it doesn't fit, it doesn't fit.
It actually matters to me that he's looked after and is comfortable in his last days, the only place that is practical for this type of care is a hospital or hospice. The parents having some sort of emotional desire to have him at home isn't in the babies best interest.
Soldato
Whatever. I'm not going to argue with you. Where there is a will there is a way. I just feel he should he at home with his parents around him.
The barristers from Brick Court worked Pro Bono, not sure on the others.
Of course there's always a way. For example they could knock a wall down and bring the equipment through. The relevant and important question is whether there is a practical way.
He probably dont believe in experts.
Caporegime
There's also the question of whether it is ethical, both for Charlie - is another week of life fair? is his care at home good enough? and also can you compromise the care of other Children for Charlie - will it mean GOSH has less ITU beds available because of the people needed to provide Charlie's care?
Soldato
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