This press release was made on the 24th April after Alfie had been removed from the ventilator and before his final appeal to be allowed to travel to Rome was rejected by the High Court. During the evening of the 26th April Alfie’s father asked for the public campaign to cease. We therefore closed this petition out of respect for the family’s wishes on that evening.
Press release, regarding Alfie Evans: Medical and State Tyranny
From the Medical Ethics Alliance
14.00pm 24th April 2018
We are deeply concerned and outraged by the treatment and care offered to Alfie Evans. Wanting to withdraw treatment so that he will die, the medical authorities have taken Alfie to the High Court. At that point, and as a result of the hospital’s court action, the parents were stripped of their right to be decision makers for their beloved child. They could only advise the Court and look on as the High Court made decisions for Alfie.
The High Court decided that it was in the “Best Interests “ of Alfie to die and duly authorized the withdrawal of treatment. As a result the parents are being tortured as they watch the hospital take actions expected to lead to his death.
Despite a viable alternative being available (namely transfer by air ambulance for further assessment to a specialist hospital in Rome), the hospital and doctors responsible for his care insists that he remains under their care and on a pathway towards death. While he now has some oxygen and some fluid this has taken huge effort to obtain for him. He is offered sedation although (we understand) this has not been given at present. Sedation (if given) would mean that he would develop respiratory failure and die even more quickly.
Actions such as these have now brought the Alder Hey Hospital to worldwide attention and by extension bring our whole profession into disrepute.
Medical tyranny must stop. Poor Alfie must not be killed in this way [see clarification below]. We demand that the authorities to allow Alfie safe passage to Rome.
With respect we insist that with immediate effect the GMC investigate the actions of doctors providing his care. Surely the doctors should refuse to implement such a tyrannical decision and allow Alfie to go to Rome.
Dr Anthony Cole. Medical Ethics Alliance
Dr Thomas Ward
Dr Adrian Treloar MV BS FRCP MRCPsych MRCGP
Dr Robert Hardie
Dr Josephne Venn-Treloar MB BS
Dr Philippe Schepens MD
Member of the Pontifical Academy for Life(PAV) (1995-2017)
Member of the board of the PAV (1995-2004)
Member of the board of the John-Paul II Academy of Life and Family
Member of the board of the American Life League (honorary)
Secretary-General of the World Federation of Doctors who respect Human Life
Theresa Mandeville RN, MSN, CMSRN
Carlos A. Casanova, PhD
Deacon William V. Williams, M.D.
Editor in Chief Emeritus
The Linacre Quarterly
Dr. Adrian Quinn, Psy. D.
Dr Maria Isabella Sereni
Sara Brugnoli MD
And 248 others
We were inviting doctors and others to cosign this petition. If you wish to sign this statement please email secretary@medethicsalliance.org.uk
Alfie’s father has asked for the public campaign to cease. We have therefore closed this petition out of respect for the family’s wishes.
You can read more about Alfies case at https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/breaking-alfie-evans-has-survived-12-hours-without-ventilation
Clarification and update (8pm 26/4/2018)
It has been pointed out to us that the words we used above might be misunderstood by some.In our view, while it is appropriate to use analgesia and sedation in a dying person who is in pain, distressed or suffering, that analysis is different where the person does not require medication to alleviate those symptoms. Such medications could (and probably would) hasten death in a child who is already struggling to breathe. We wish to clarify our view that inappropriate sedation and fluid deprivation in a child who is struggling to breathe is incompatible with survival.
We are, of course, pleased to hear that Alfie is still alive. We continue to hope that he may still be allowed to access other forms and settings of care. Alfie’s father has asked for the public campaign to cease. We are therefore closing this petition out of respect for the family’s wishes