Alfie Evans health update: Last chance with High Court hearing – what does it mean?
A fresh hearing was granted for the terminally-ill tot at a High Court in Manchester at 3.30pm after Alfie’s family said after he continued to breathe unaided despite his life-support machine being switched off at 9pm on Monday. The tot suffers from a rare and undiagnosed degenerative neurological condition and has been in a semi-vegetative state since December 2016. His parents Tom Evans and Kate James, aged 21 and 20 respectively, want to take up an offer from Italy to save the toddler’s life after losing a serious of legal battles in the UK to keep him alive. Last night, doctors at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool turned off Alfie’s machine against his parents’ wishes after they lost their latest High Court ruling.
But the brave tot left medical staff “gobsmacked” as he continued to breath on his own, despite predictions that he would fade away. Alfie’s doctors have previously told judges that there is “no hope” for the youngster. What does today’s High Court hearing mean for Alfie? In light of Alfie’s amazing progress, a High Court judge will today oversee a fresh hearing at the Family Division of the High Court taking place now.
GETTY Alfie Evans health update: Last chance for Alfie with High Court hearing – what does it mean?
If successful, his parents will push for their son to begin treatment in Italy as soon as possible after medical experts in the country said they would be willing to help him. An air ambulance has reportedly arrived at Alder Hey hospital ready to fly him straight to Italy. It could be the final glimmer of hope for the little boy whose parents have been fighting in the courts for more than year after Alder Hey argued it would be in his best interests to have his life support switched off. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs granted citizenship to Alfie yesterday.
AFP/GETTY Alfie Evans health update: Alfie pictured at Alder Hey Hospital, LIverpool, on April 5, 2018
PA Alfie Evans health update: Parents Tom Evans and Kate James at a December 2017 court hearing