U.S DOCTOR JETS IN MONDAY TO HELP CHARLIE
Connie’s hope as US prof flies in
AN American specialist will fly to England next week in a bid to save Charlie Gard’s life.
Professor Michio Hirano wants to try an untested treatment on the tot, giving new hope to his parents Connie and Chris.
A spokesman for the family said: “This is excellent news.”
CHARLIE Gard’s mum will attend a meeting of experts to discuss how to treat her sick son after a court yesterday ruled she should be there.
Connie Yates, 31, won the right to join US neurologist Professor Michio Hirano, who is flying in from New York on Monday to see if the sick tot will benefit from an untested treatment.
Her lawyer Grant Armstrong argued she should be allowed in as she is now an expert on his mitochondrial syndrome, which causes muscle weakness and brain damage.
He said: “Connie Yates has almost as much understanding of these technical issues as anyone in the UK.”
She and partner Chris Gard, 32, said the victory was “excellent news” after doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London lost a fight to keep her out.
Their spokesman Alasdair Seton-Marsden added: “Great Ormond Street Hospital tried to block the parents from a meeting about their own child.
“After protracted legal discussions, the court decided that mum could attend.
“We are delighted Connie will now be at the meeting with Professor Michio Hirano, the world’s leading expert in Charlie’s condition.” Prof Hirano thinks experimental nucleoside bypass therapy could improve Charlie’s dire condition, giving his parents hope in their battle to keep him alive.
After studying the 11-month-old for himself, he will sit down at a meeting with all of the international experts who have provided opinion in the case.
Mr Armstrong told the High Court: “This could be described as the most critical meeting in this case in terms of the professionals, and the skill of the professionals travelling from America and from Italy merely underlines just how important it is.”
Charlie’s parents, of Bedfont, West London, want to take him to the US, or a hospital in Rome, for the therapy.
It has not been trialled on humans. But Prof Hirano estimated it would give at least a 10% chance of improvement in muscle strength and a “small but significant” boost in brain function.
Great Ormond Street invited Prof Hirano and others to visit Charlie in January, it was revealed yesterday. The hospital’s barrister Katie Gollop QC said he had yet to visit for “reasons the hospital simply doesn’t understand”.
UK doctors believe Charlie has irreversible brain damage and should be allowed to die with dignity. In April, the High Court granted permission for the youngster’s life support to be withdrawn.
Connie and Chris took their case to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court but lost. And the European Court of Human Rights refused to intervene.
The High Court will sit again on July 24, with Mr Justice Francis hopeful of delivering a final ruling the next day.
Connie and Chris yesterday condemned internet trolls who have launched a sick hate campaign against the hospital, its staff and legal team.
Mr Seton-Marsden said: “Under no circumstances does any member of Charlie’s family or true supporters condone any such action.”
It could be described as the most critical meeting in this case GRANT ARMSTRONG PARENTS’ LAWYER