Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) has applied for a fresh hearing into the case of Charlie Gard.
The hospital made the appeal to the High Court after “claims of new evidence relating to potential treatment for his condition,” came to light.
The Guardian reports that a spokesperson for GOSH said: “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.
“We believe, in common with Charlie’s parents, it is right to explore this evidence.”
Doctors from the Bambino Gesu Hospital in Rome wrote to GOSH, asking them to reconsider the experimental nucleoside therapy treatment.
Breakthrough! New evidence 2 suggest nucleoside therapy CAN cross the blood brain barrier to save Charlie! 10%chance of working! pic.twitter.com/OpImZYuY6l
— Charlie's Fight (@charliesfight) July 7, 2017
The treatment has never been tested on a child with Charlie’s condition but clinicians claim to have seen a “dramatic improvement” when tested on mice and humans with a similar but not identical genetic condition.
As the existing court ruling forbids the hospital from transferring Charlie anywhere in the world for nucleoside therapy, GOSH must ask the court to decide whether Charlie should receive the therapy.
Despite this, the hospital said they have not changed their position on Charlie’s prognosis but said they wanted the High Court to “objectively assess the claims of new evidence.”
The statement went on to say: “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.
GOSH has today applied to the High Court for a fresh hearing in the case of Charlie Gard. See full GOSH statement: https://t.co/6xRK56G7Zj
— GOSH (@GreatOrmondSt) July 7, 2017
“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.”
11-month-old Charlie suffers from a rare mitochondrial disease and is currently in hospital on life support.
Life support was due to be withdrawn from the little boy after the European Court in Strasbourg ruled that the experimental treatment would not be in his best interests.
However, his parents Chris Gard and Connie Yates claim Charlie is not in pain and ought to be given a chance to receive the experimental therapy.
Charlie Gard: Hospital applies for fresh court hearing over 'new information' for treatment, reports @BeccaBarry https://t.co/wTtGE9EdSk pic.twitter.com/fdQULBDMuh
— ITV News (@itvnews) July 7, 2017
GOSH executives held a meeting with Connie and Chris today to discuss the latest developments in the case.
According to the BBC, the case will be heard on Monday at 2pm by Mr Justice Francis, the judge who presided over previous hearings in the case.
Charlie’s plight has attracted worldwide media attention and Pope Francis and Donald Trump have both extended their support to his family.
We will keep you up to date with any new developments as they unfold.
