Charlie Gard case: Judge to order child moved to hospice if agreement over final days cannot be reached

Parents have until 12pm on Thursday to agree with doctors on how 11-month-old should be cared for at the end

Charlie's parents have tried to assemble a volunteer medical team to provide hospice care (PA)

Charlie Gard’s parents have been given until 12pm on Thursday to agree a plan for his final days.

If they cannot agree with Great Ormond Street (GOSH) medics on how the 11-month-old should be cared for before his death, the judge in the case will order him moved to a hospice and his ventilator removed.

Mr Justice Francis reportedly held a private discussion with Charlie’s mother, Connie Yates, late on Wednesday, as the tragic case neared its conclusion.

Both Charlie’s parents and his doctors have agreed he should move to a hospice, the High Court heard. But they disagreed over the detail of care plans.

Ms Yates, and Charlie’s father Chris Gard, had initially wanted their son to spend his last days at home with them, but GOSH opposed the move due to the complexity of his life-support system.

Ms Yates walked out of what could be the final court hearing in Charlie’s case on Wednesday, after the judge said a decision had to be made.

She yelled: “I hope you are happy with yourselves.”

Grant Armstrong, who led Charlie’s parents’ legal team, said the couple wanted to privately fund care at a hospice where Charlie could continue to receive life support for days before being allowed to die.

He said a doctor was ready to help, and several Great Ormond Street nurses had volunteered their services.

Great Ormond Street bosses said they were not satisfied that a properly qualified specialist would be in control under Charlie’s parents’ plan.

A lawyer in the couple’s legal team said discussions about mounting an appeal against Mr Justice Francis’s decision not to allow more time were taking place.

A family friend posted a statement on Facebook saying: “The reality is Charlie is very stable, not in pain and rarely needs a doctor. It is therefore difficult to understand why Charlie could not die at home.

“All he needs is a ventilator which pumps room air into his lungs. It is extraordinarily sad that there’s been so much fuss about him dying at home.

“Connie and Chris have conceded a hospice but it was not their first choice. They will be devastated they have not been granted their final wishes as parents.”

Additional reporting by agencies