Alfie Evans

[tiggerblue10]

This is really sad. What are your views? Should his parents be given the chance to take him to Italy for treatment that may or may not work?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-43750597

[tiggerblue10]

And apologies if there has already been a thread on this.

[bhg481]

No, these parents are absolutely selfish wanting to put their child through operation after operation with no proper life to be gained from it.

[pixie374]

Impossible to say without knowing the medical side. I guess if they are that convinced, they will just do it anyway.

[Neveracrossword]

I thought that the 'treatment' in Italy was to be 'palliative care'?

[pixie374]

A different type maybe. They aren't giving many details.

[kvalidir]

I think although clearly the child's best interests have to be considered, removing the decision making process from parents wanting to try different or alternative treatments at other medical facilities is for the most part inappropriate. These parents have done nothing wrong, and the sheer level of grief and stress that the hospitals place them under for trying to do the right thing for their child makes me seriously doubt if the decision makers in the hospitals are the right people to be making the decisions about people's lives at all. Family is everything, and parental rights should not be removed or circumvented unless they have been abusive or neglectful. IMHO they have a right to elect to remove their child to another medical facility which is offering to treat rather than to turn off a life support machine.

[Kathyan]

I think the clue is 'life support machine'. If the child can't live without support then, in my mind, sadly, there is no hope. I know that sounds hard, but sometimes life is hard.

[jackthehat]

All medical evidence indicates that Alfie Evans has precious little brain-activity and what he has is diminishing.
All his parents have is the innate belief that he responds to them.
Alfie will never be or have more than at present and keeping his organs functioning seems as pointless as it is cruel.

As a parent I thank my lucky stars that I never found myself in a similar position but if I had, I hope that I would have found the strength and grace to let him go.

Although it has not been trumpeted I rather think there may be a religious dimension to this....

[tamaris]

I saw the father on the news today saying his baby was healthy, that may be but he seems not to have any quality of life.

[anneasquith]

Yet another tragic scenario , parents/ medical staff unable to agree what is best for a baby. What benefit is this doing Alfie ? .none ?

[ToraToraTora]

Of course they are paying why not let them try anything they like.

[Sqad]

A big problem today is that of unrealistic expectations of the medical profession which cannot be attained.
A degenerative neurological condition in a baby which is slowly progressive is not compatible with survival as we know it.
Yes, the parents can transfer the baby and should have the right to, but not at the expense of the UK taxpayer .
Yes....a correct decision both legally and medically.

[NoMercy]

Treatment would prolong his life but wouldn't confer a greater quality of life.

No, he shouldn't be condemned to a life of suffering.

[hereIam]

Personally, I think the doctors know best here.

[andres]

A few weeks ago I would have said that Alfie should be allowed to die peacefully. Now I have changed my mind and I think if the parents have the money and everything can be arranged for Alfie to be transferred in a safe manner then they should be allowed to take him to Italy. Should the treatment not work at least the parents will be able to face reality knowing that they have done everything possible for Alfie. All expenses would have to be met by the family.

[ChillDoubt]

On the BBC earlier they ended their piece with ‘in a last attempt to save his life’.
He doesn’t grave a life.....just an existence, which is rapidly diminishing.
Furthermore, the entrance to a children’s hospital isn’t really the place for a protest, whatever the intentions.
Yes it’s sad but this poor boy has no life and thus the authorities have acted correctly.
Let him pass away with dignity.

[ChillDoubt]

*have not grave