Staff caring for Charlie Gard receive death threats
Doctors and nurses treating the terminally ill baby Charlie Gard at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) have received "menacing" death threats along with thousands of abusive messages. In a statement, the hospital said police had been called to investigate the “shocking” threats and “unacceptable” harassment of staff.
Mary MacLeod, chairman of Great Ormond Street Hospital, said that while she appreciated feelings around the ongoing court battle between medical staff and Charlie’s parents were running high, nothing could justify the abuse. “Charlie Gard's case is a heart-breaking one. We fully understand that there is
intense public interest, and that emotions run high," she added.
“In recent weeks the GOSH community has been subjected to a shocking and disgraceful tide of hostility and disturbance. Staff have received abuse both in the street and online. Thousands of abusive messages have been sent to doctors and nurses whose life's work is to care for sick children. Many of these messages are menacing, including death threats.” Charlie’s parents, Connie Yates and Chris Gard, are battling with the hospital for the right to take their desperately sick little boy to the US for pioneering treatment, which the hospital opposes because they believe it will only prolong his suffering. Charlie was born with a rare genetic disorder which causes progressive muscle wasting and brain damage.
His parents have lost a succession of high-profile court cases to overturn GOSH’s decision that it is in the best interests of the child to turn off his life support machine.
The hospital's statement added that other parents and family members visiting sick children in the hospital had been affected by the intimidation.
Charlie's parents said in a statement: "We don't condone abusive or threatening behaviour to GOSH staff or anybody in connection with our son. We, too, get abuse and have to endure nasty and hurtful remarks on a daily basis. People have different opinions and we accept that, but there is a line that shouldn't be crossed as it makes a stressful situation worse and is very upsetting for all involved."
Sir Keir Starmer, the constituency MP for the hospital, said: "The staff at the hospital work tirelessly and with total dedication. Charlie Gard's case is truly tragic and the whole nation sympathises with his parents. It is understandable that people feel very strongly about the case. But the abuse of staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital outside the hospital and online is totally unacceptable. There is no place for this abuse and it has to stop."
Pro-lifers in this country and the US have taken up the case of Charlie while his parents continue their High Court battle, where a judge has been hearing evidence about the potential of the experimental treatment. The court is due to hold a hearing tomorrow to consider the latest medical evidence.