Think of medics

There has been a plethora of opinions, accusations, and counter-accusations concerning the ethical morass into which little Charlie Gard has been plunged.

I may have missed them, but I can’t recall seeing any articles about how this tragic case may have affected the medical and nursing staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) who have been keeping this little baby alive for months. Their professional code of conduct effectively gags them, so they have had to remain silent throughout this harrowing, highly public case.

Many members of the public who have no personal involvement have used his sad situation to promote their own moral beliefs, and some have viciously demonised the staff at GOSH.

These are dedicated professionals, but they’re also human beings, who are expected to lay their emotions aside when making crucial decisions in the interests of the patients in their care.

Having someone to lash out at, someone to blame, will help Charlie’s parents to cope in the initial stages of their grief. This could take a long time, and they may never fully relinquish that need, but this is their grief, and should not be appropriated by those who see them as martyrs for their own beliefs. CAROLYN TAYLOR

Wellbank Broughty Ferry, Dundee