Do Parents Have a Right to Determine Where a Child Patient Dies?
Do Parents Have a Right to Determine Where a Child Patient Dies?

Author(s): Lisa Cherkassky
Subject(s): Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence, Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Ethics / Practical Philosophy
Published by: Trivent Publishing
Keywords: medical ethics; Charlie Gard; Alfie Evans; medical futility; paediatrics; terminally ill;
Summary/Abstract: This chapter will explore whether parents have the legal right to take their gravely ill child home to die in peace surrounded by family. Public anger surrounding the recent cases of Charlie Gard and Alfie Evans suggests that it is morally wrong to deprive parents of this final wish when medical treatment is futile and travel abroad for treatment has been ruled out. The judgments of Judge Francis (Gard) and Lady Justice King (Re C) will be examined to reveal the legal avenues available to parents of gravely ill children and whether their final wish to take their child home should be afforded more weight in futile cases.

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