UK

Judge rules against more life-support treatment for baby Charlie Gard

Doctors can withdraw life-support treatment from baby Charlie Gard - who has a rare genetic condition - against his parents' wishes, a High Court judge has ruled 
Doctors can withdraw life-support treatment from baby Charlie Gard - who has a rare genetic condition - against his parents' wishes, a High Court judge has ruled  Doctors can withdraw life-support treatment from baby Charlie Gard - who has a rare genetic condition - against his parents' wishes, a High Court judge has ruled 

Doctors can withdraw life-support treatment from a baby with a rare genetic condition against his parents' wishes, a High Court judge has ruled.

There was a scream of 'no' in the court as the decision about eight-month-old Charlie Gard's care was announced by Mr Justice Francis, who had analysed evidence over three days and had visited the child at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

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Chris Gard and Connie Yates with their son Charlie

Charlie's parents have said they plan to appeal against the decision.

Specialists at the hospital in London think it is time to stop providing life support treatment for Charlie.

Doctors say the boy, who suffers from a rare genetic condition and has brain damage, should move to a palliative care regime.

But Charlie's parents, who are both in their early 30s, disagree.

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Charlie Gard is being treated in Great Ormond Street Hospital, London

Following the decision, Charlie's parents' solicitor said her clients are "devastated" and are struggling to understand why the judge had not "at least given Charlie the chance of treatment."

Postman Chris Gard and Connie Yates, of Bedfont, west London, want to be allowed to take him to a hospital in the US for a treatment trial.

Mr Justice Francis ruled that life-support treatment should stop after analysing evidence at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London.

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Charlie suffers from a rare condition and his parents had hoped he would be able to travel to the US for treatment

Charlie, who was born on August 4, 2016, has a form of mitochondrial disease, a condition which causes progressive muscle weakness and brain damage.

His parents launched an appeal on the GoFundMe website two months ago, saying they needed £1.2 million to fund treatment.

They reached their target on Sunday and more than 80,000 people have donated money.

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Charlie's parents Chris Gard and Connie Yates pictured today outside The Royal Courts of Justice in London

Giving his ruling, Mr Justice Francis said he had made the decision with the "heaviest of hearts" but with "complete conviction" for Charlie's best interests. 

A GoFundMe spokesman said officials would have discussions with Charlie's parents about what would happen to money raised for treatment.

He said: "We'll be speaking privately to the family in the next few days about what they want to do and how we can support them."

The judge said he had decided Charlie should be allowed to die with dignity.

He praised the little boy's parents for their campaign and paid tribute to their devotion.

He said: "It is with the heaviest of hearts, but with complete conviction for Charlie's best interests, that I find it is in Charlie's best interests that I accede to these applications and rule that Great Ormond Street may lawfully withdraw all treatment save for palliative care to permit Charlie to die with dignity.

"I want to thank the team of experts and carers at Great Ormond Street, and others who cannot be named, for the extraordinary care that they have provided to this family.

"Most importantly of all, I want to thank Charlie's parents for their brave and dignified campaign on his behalf, but more than anything to pay tribute to their absolute dedication to their wonderful boy, from the day that he was born."

Lawyers representing Great Ormond Street said treatment would continue until appeal decisions had been made.