Charlie’s tragedy

WHILE I condemn the threats to Great Ormond Street staff, I disagree with the hospital’s attitude to the consultant who thought he may have been able to help Charlie Gard.

My family has had awful experiences with the hospital’s staff, who can be stubborn, rude and condescending.

Medical experts can get it wrong, as they did with Ashya King, the young boy with a brain tumour whose parents took him abroad because they did not want him to have invasive treatments here.

I applaud Charlie’s parents for doing all they could do with their hands tied behind their backs. Now they have to live with the doubts and what-ifs for the rest of their lives. JEAN BLANCHARD, South Benfleet, Essex. PERHAPS Charlie’s mission in life was to reawaken compassion among millions of people worldwide.

PAUL ROSE, Upton Lovell, Wilts. I HAVE every sympathy for Charlie Gard’s parents and am truly sorry this poor little lad has to die. However, I do not agree that Great Ormond Street is to blame.

My family has nothing but praise for the hospital. My grandson had open-heart surgery on the day he was born. Today he is 22 and, despite health issues, is leading a good life. Long may Great Ormond Street continue its good work.

Mrs M. DEMIDIUK, Northampton. WE UPHOLD human rights, but what about parental rights? If Charlie’s parents had been able to take him to the U.S. months ago, how different would the outcome have been?

JEANETTE LITTLEY, Chislehurst, Gtr London. WHAT was more important: the reputation of Great Ormond Street Hospital or the chance of life, no matter how slight, for Charlie?

D. S. A. MURRAY, Dorking, Surrey.