Shropshire Star

US doctor looks into Charlie Gard case at Great Ormond Street Hospital

Michio Hirano has been given an honorary contract at the hospital, to allow him to access Charlie’s medical records.

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Charlie's parents Connie Yates and Chris Gard are pinning their hopes on a US specialist (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

The American doctor who has offered to treat Charlie Gard has attended a meeting at Great Ormond Street Hospital, to help decide whether the 11-month-old will go to the US for treatment.

Michio Hirano, a professor of neurology at the Columbia University Medical Centre in New York, spent around four and a half hours inside the hospital on Monday.

Charlie suffers from mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome (Family handout/PA)
Charlie suffers from mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome (Family handout/PA)

Great Ormond Street Hospital said there was an honorary contract in place, meaning that for the duration of the visit Dr Hirano had the same rights as one of the hospital’s own clinicians.

He was also given full access to Charlie’s medical records, and hospital and clinical facilities, including diagnostic images.

Dr Hirano was also given an opportunity to examine Charlie, according to the hospital.

Chris Gard and Connie Yates have clashed with doctors (Family handout/PA)
Chris Gard and Connie Yates have clashed with doctors (Family handout/PA)

Meetings between the American neurosurgeon and other medical experts are due to continue on Tuesday.

A judge has previously ruled that Charlie’s mother, Connie Yates, can be present for the meetings with Dr Hirano.

Charlie’s parents are fighting for the right to take the 11-month-old to the US for a therapy trial for his rare genetic condition, overseen by Dr Hirano.

Charlie is being treated in Great Ormond Street Hospital in London (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
Charlie is being treated in Great Ormond Street Hospital in London (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Great Ormond Street Hospital specialists say that treatment will not work, and the little boy’s life support should be turned off.

His parents, from Bedfont, west London, have already lost battles in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. They also failed to persuade European Court of Human Rights judges to intervene.

Mr Justice Francis has considered the couple’s latest claims at preliminary hearings in the Family Division of the High Court in London over the last few days.

He is due to stage further hearings later this month following this week’s specialist gathering.

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