Charlie Gard’s mum at clinical meeting with US doctor
Written by News on 18/07/2017
A team of specialists including the US doctor offering to treat Charlie Gard have met Great Ormond Street medics to discuss the baby’s care.
It came amid a court battle over what is in the best interests for the 11-month-old, who suffers from the rare genetic condition mitochondrial disease.
The clinical meeting between US doctor Michio Hirano and an international colleague of his, together with a UK expert in mitochondrial disease, an independent chair and the baby’s mother, Connie Yates, is now over.
The second international specialist cannot be named for legal reasons.
A lawyer representing Great Ormond Street Hospital said at the latest court hearing on Friday that the clinicians’ meeting would be easier if the parents did not attend in order for the experts to have a full and open discussion.
However, the judge allowed Charlie’s mother to attend the meeting after her lawyer argued she had carried out extensive research into her son’s condition and was informed enough to contribute and listen to doctors’ perspectives.
Ahead of the meeting, Great Ormond Street said Ms Yates’ contribution would be welcome and would be supported by the chair who could introduce her questions and ensure adequate time is offered to respond.
The Great Ormond Street clinicians currently caring for Charlie were also attending.
They included a consultant paediatric intensivist, a consultant paediatric neurologist, a consultant in paediatric metabolic medicine and a consultant neuroradiologist.
It is the first time for visiting clinicians to contribute with the benefit of having examined Charlie and viewed the 11-month-old’s medical records and most recent scans.
His parents want to take their son to the US for an experimental therapy overseen by Dr Hirano, who examined Charlie on Monday.
Ms Yates and Chris Gard have been fighting a legal battle since Great Ormond Street doctors said the therapy would not help and that life-support treatment for the child should stop.
The judge is due to stage further hearings this week and said he will make his decision on 25 July.
(c) Sky News 2017: Charlie Gard’s mum at clinical meeting with US doctor
