Judge to rule today on home death for baby

THE parents of Charlie Gard will find out today if their terminally ill baby can die at home.

Connie Yates and Chris Gard want to be able to bathe the 11-month-old, who has a rare genetic disease and brain damage, and put him to bed for the last time.

At a hearing yesterday they were given just 20 hours to try to find a doctor willing to help ahead of a High Court ruling today at 2pm.

The couple’s lawyers argued that their baby should be allowed “a few days of tranquillity outside of a hospital” before letting him pass away. Grant Armstrong accused Great Ormond Street Hospital, which has cared for Charlie for most of his short life, of putting “obstacles” in their way.

But Katie Gollop QC, who represents the hospital, said nothing could be further from the truth and staff had “moved heaven and earth” for Charlie.

She added: “The care plan must be safe, it must spare Charlie all pain and protect his dignity. At the same time, the plan must honour his parents’ wishes about the time and place of his passing.”

She said Charlie’s ventilator would not fit through their front door or up the stairs and moving him could risk him suffering pain or a “distressing or disordered death” – but Charlie’s parents say the hospital has not visited their home.

They also rejected a plan for him to die in a hospice, saying it was “brutal” and would only allow them a few hours with their son.

Chris Gard, 33, stayed at Charlie’s bedside while mum Connie, 31, wept as she attended court to hear Lord Justice Francis say: “It seems to me the parents should be entitled to choose how the next days are spent and where.” He said he would decide today as it was not fair on the parents to “prolong their suffering any longer”.

On Monday Chris and Connie gave up their agonising legal fight to take their son to the US for experimental treatment.

They accepted Charlie’s muscles were too damaged for it to work. IN COURT Charlie’s mum Connie Yates DECISION Lord Justice Francis