Threats ordeal of Charlie’s medics
Staff at the hospital caring for baby Charlie Gard have been bombarded with death threats.
Doctors and nurses at Great Ormond Street in London have received thousands of threatening messages and have suffered abuse in the street.
The hospital and Charlie’s parents are involved in a legal battle over his care.
Charlie has a rare and incurable genetic condition.
His doctors say his case is hopeless and subjecting him to more treatment would only make him suffer. They say his life support should be turned off so he can die with dignity.
The 11- month- old tot’s parents insist experimental treatment in America could give him a better quality of life. A judge will decide.
Great Ormond Street c h a i r woma n Ma r y MacLeod said the hospital recognised the emotions aroused by Charlie’s case, the “tireless advocacy” of his loving parents and the support people felt for them.
But she condemned the “disgraceful tide of hostility” directed at staff.
She said: “Staf f have received abuse both in the street and online.
“Thousands of abusive messages have been sent to doctors and nurses. Many are menacing, including death threats.”
MacLeod said families visiting their kids in the hospital had also been harassed.
Charlie’s parents and the judge in the case have condemned the threats.