Charlie’s Law announced by parents of Charlie Gard
Couple hope for a change in the law to give parents more say after their own son died and following the case of Alfie Evans
Connie Yates says: ‘With heavy hearts we have watched as Alfie’s case has unfolded. For those who have not been in a situation like this, it is impossible to understand the pain Tom and Kate are going through.
When we were fighting for our son, Charlie Gard to be given a chance to try a treatment that could have improved his quality of life, we realised that cases like these would keep happening until the law was changed. Tragically, this has proven to be true.
Since Charlie’s passing in July last year, we have been working with paediatric consultants, medical ethicists, senior lawyers, U.K. politicians and other parents who have suffered through similar situations as us, to try and propose a law that will prevent parents experiencing painful and prolonged conflicts with medical professionals.
This involves addressing problems around the “best interests” test as well as creating a platform for transparency and openness so that cases like these can be dealt with before they ever reach the courts. We were calling this “Charlie’s Law” whilst also working on the foundation set up in his memory: www.thecharliegardfoundation.org
Once cases are public it is difficult for people to be fully aware of the complexities and this often leads to illinformed judgements on both sides and creates unnecessary conflicts.
We have something that is better for everybody – hospitals, healthcare professionals, families with sick children, the NHS, and the reputation of our own government. We would ask those pushing for law change to take account of the careful work already done, and join us as we continue to push for a solution that is best for all involved.