Charlie Gard receives hope from US Congressmen who vow to make him an ‘American resident’ in bid for experimental treatment
CHARLIE Gard has been given fresh hope after two United States Congressmen announced a bid to make him a lawful US resident.
Republican pro-life representatives Brad Wenstrup and Trent Franks vowed to introduce a private bill - a proposal for a law which would apply to a particular individual or group - when Congress returns from recess next week.
In a statement, they explained by making Charlie a non-citizen lawful permanent resident in United States, he will be able to receive potentially life-saving treatment.
They said: "Despite Charlie’s heartbreaking condition, his parents have refused to give up hope.
"They have advocated for him fiercely. They have raised over £1 million to pay for their son to receive experimental treatment in the United States. They have kept fighting for his life."
But Justice Secretary David Lidington has since said the Government has no role to play in the case.
Mr Lidington told Sky News' Ridge On Sunday: "As ministers and as a Government we have no role to play in the Charlie Gard case, as would be the case in any other proceeding in court."
Mr Lidington added: "I do not envy the judges who are having to take decisions on this.
"It must be incredibly pressured - probably emotional, under the judicial professionalism, a really emotional, heart-wrenching case for them to have to decide.
"But they are independent, they know their duty is to decide the case on the basis of what they genuinely consider to be in the best interests of Charlie himself."
It comes after Charlie's family insisted "the fight is not over" after Great Ormond Street Hospital applied to the High Court for a fresh hearing over "claims of new evidence relating to potential treatment".
The family tweeted a message of hope to their growing army of supporters following news of the breakthrough.
"A HUGE thank you to all you out there supporting and sharing Charlie's story!" they said.
"Please keep going! The fight is not over!!!!"
The children's hospital revealed on Friday it had been contacted by two international hospitals claiming to have "fresh evidence about their proposed experimental treatment" for little Charlie.
Charlie's mum Connie Yates said: "We're hopeful and confident that Charlie may get his chance now."
High Court listings show a hearing is due to take place at 2pm on Monday with Mr Justice Francis.
Great Ormond Street said its view that treatment would be "futile" had not changed, but it believed it was right to seek the view of the High Court.
It said docs were currently bound by a previous legal ruling - that Charlie's life support should be switched off - which was upheld by the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights.
The surprising move comes as the row over Charlie's future went global, with the Pope and US President Donald Trump wading in.
Pope Francis has offered to give Charlie a Vatican City passport to "overcome" legal rulings and get him treatment in Italy.
The 11-month-old's parents Connie and Chris have been locked in a tug-of-love with courts over taking him abroad for experimental nucleoside treatment.
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Connie revealed that there are now five doctors - including two in the UK - who believe treatment for the rare condition mitochondrial depletion syndrome could be successful.
The tot's life-support was due to be switched off last Friday, but the hospital granted Connie and Chris a week to say goodbye to their little boy.
Since then, support for Charlie and news of his plight has spread all over the world - with growing pressure on docs and the government to allow him to be treated.
This morning Connie made an emotional plea to the Prime Minister urging her to allow the desperately ill toddler to receive treatment in the US.
Last night protesters marched on Downing Street urging Theresa May to step in to allow Charlie to leave London.
Great Ormond Street Hospital's full statement
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children has today applied to the High Court for a fresh hearing in the case of Charlie Gard in light of claims of new evidence relating to potential treatment for his condition.
We have just met with Charlie’s parents to inform them of this decision and will continue to keep them fully appraised of the situation.
Two international hospitals and their researchers have communicated to us as late as the last 24 hours that they have fresh evidence about their proposed experimental treatment.
And we believe, in common with Charlie’s parents, it is right to explore this evidence.
Great Ormond Street Hospital is bound by the ruling of the High Court which expressly forbids us from transferring Charlie for nucleoside therapy anywhere.
This ruling has been upheld by the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights.
It has also been supported unequivocally by some of the world’s most distinguished clinicians and scientists.
The ruling also states that it is in Charlie’s best interests for artificial ventilation to be withdrawn, and for his clinicians to provide him with palliative care only.
The ruling of Mr Justice Francis states: “It is lawful, and in Charlie’s best interests not to undergo nucleoside therapy, provided always that the measures and treatments adopted are the most compatible with maintaining Charlie’s dignity.”
Great Ormond Street Hospital is therefore giving the High Court the opportunity to objectively assess the claims of fresh evidence.
It will be for the High Court to make its judgment on the facts.
Charlie’s condition is exceptionally rare, with catastrophic and irreversible brain damage.
Our doctors have explored every medical treatment, including experimental nucleoside therapies. Independent medical experts agreed with our clinical team that this treatment would be unjustified.
Not only that, but they said it would be futile and would prolong Charlie’s suffering. This is not an issue about money or resources, but absolutely about what is right for Charlie.
Our view has not changed. We believe it is right to seek the High Court’s view in light of the claimed new evidence.
Our priority has always been, and will always be, the best interests of Charlie Gard.
But our care and compassion also goes to the loving families of each and every one of the children we look after. We strive to ensure we give them limitless support at these most difficult of times.
We will always, under all circumstances, respect the confidentiality of our patients and their families.
At Great Ormond Street Hospital, we endeavour to provide the best possible medical care for every single child we treat.
It is why we are recognised as one of the world’s leading children’s hospitals, employing the most skilled and caring doctors and nurses who are absolutely dedicated to their patients.
We are proud of our colleagues, and proud of the work that they do.
We are also immensely proud of the public support we have earned over the generations. We respect it greatly and know how precious it is.
The very last thing we want is for a patient to suffer, and our devoted medical teams do their very best day in, day out, for the children under their care.
We respectfully acknowledge the offers of help from the White House, the Vatican and our colleagues in Italy, the United States and beyond.
We would like to reassure everyone that Great Ormond Hospital will continue to care for Charlie and his family with the utmost respect and dignity through this very difficult time.
Charlie's mum Connie told Good Morning Britain she had been told by five doctor the experimental treatment could help her son.
She said: "I've heard from doctors that there's around a 10 percent chance of this working for Charlie so I think that's a good enough chance to take."
London-based medical ethicist Raanan Gillon also said that Charlie's parents should get the final say in whether or not their son receives treatment.
He said: "I think the main ethical consideration is who should be making the decision about Charlie's best interests and my own view though I have to say that most people disagree with me so far as I can find in the ethics world my own view is that it should be the parents who decide."
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