Alder Hey Hospital ask people to stop phoning up to check on condition of Alfie Evans
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Alder Hey has been forced to ask people to stop disturbing the general running of the children's hospital by phoning up to ask how Alfie Evans is.
The terminally ill youngster's life support was withdrawn last night, according to his father Tom Evans, and has now been breathing unassisted for around 11 hours.
But besides the army of Alfie's supporters stationed outside the hospital, the phone has also been ringing off the hook.
"Please be aware, out of respect for the privacy of Alfie and his family we will not be issuing any updates about his condition," said a spokesman for Alder Hey Children's Hospital.
"This is our normal and agreed practice with all our patients.
"We would be grateful if you would respect this approach and not contact any hospital staff or call our switchboard seeking updates."
(Image: Facebook)
(Image: Daily Mirror)
The hospital also warned families of sick children to be prepared to see a police presence at the hospital today.
"We wish to reassure patients and families attending Alder Hey hospital today that we are operating as usual and that, although you will see a police presence, the hospital is calm."
Alfie has left doctors "gobsmacked" by fighting on after life-support was withdrawn, according to his father.
Tom Evans said it was obvious that the youngster was breathing unassisted "within a few minutes" of life-support being withdrawn on Monday night.
Earlier, a High Court judge had dismissed a "last-ditch appeal" by Mr Evans and Alfie's mother, Kate James, to be given more time to mount a further challenge to a decision to end the 23-month-old's treatment.
(Image: Andy Stenning daily mirror)
(Image: Daily Mirror)
Speaking outside Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool on Tuesday morning, his father said Alfie's life-support should be reinstated due to his remarkable progress.
"He is still working, he's doing as good as he can," he told reporters.
"But we do need him to be supported ... in the next hour it's going to be hard but we will need him to be supported in the next hour or two.
"Because he's been doing it for nine hours totally unexpected, the doctors are gobsmacked and I do believe he will need some form of life-support in the next couple of hours and I think he ought to be respected and given that."
Yesterday, the father had said doctors at Alder Hey were refusing to provide Alfie, who has an undiagnosed brain condition, with oxygen.