Liverpool: Police block parents from taking Alfie Evans from hospital

Source: Lifesitenews

Parents of Baby Alfie Evans are saying that police are blocking them from leaving Alder Hey Children's Hospital even though they have a legal document saying that their child is free to leave, Lifesitenews reports.

Dramatic moments of Alfie's dad Tom trying to leave with his son were streamed on Facebook Live this afternoon. A relative also used Facebook Live to show police guarding hospital exits. Alfie Evans' parents are being prevented from removing their son from the hospital that wants him to die.

While the drama unfolds at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, LifeSiteNews has obtained a letter to Alfie's father Tom from a lawyer attached to the Christian Legal Centre.

Lawyer Pavel Stroilov has informed the father that he has the right to remove his son from the hospital. Nevertheless, police are there now to stop him.

Friends are live-streaming the scene at Alder Hey Children's Hospital as hundreds of people have come to support the family.

See: www.facebook.com/ste.traynor.3/videos/10213633702970517/

LAWYER'S LETTER

Dear Tom,

You have asked me to clarify whether it would be legal for you to remove your son Alfie from Alder Hey Hospital without the Hospital's consent. In Alfie's situation, that would only be practical with the support of a team of medical professionals with the necessary life support equipment.

Subject to that, I can confirm that such a removal would be lawful under English law.

Alfie is only in hospital because you, his parents, voluntarily sought its healthcare services. Alfie retains the right to self-discharge from hospital. He is not imprisoned there. Because of his minority, it is for you, as his parents, to make a decision to self-discharge or to stay at hospital.

The effect of the declaratory orders made by Mr Justice Hayden in the High Court is to make it lawful for Alder Hey to withdraw his artificial ventilation treatment, and to protect Alder Hay and its staff from legal liability for that step. It is not the intention or effect of the order to circumvent Alfie's personal liberty or your parental rights. It remains lawful for an alternative team of medical professionals, with your parental consent, to provide such medical treatment to Alfie as they professionally deem to be appropriate.

As you know, today Mr Justice Hayden made a further order scheduling the withdrawal of ventilation from Alfie for 12 noon this Friday 13 April. The legal position may arguably become more complicated if someone within the High Court's jurisdiction continues to provide ventilation after that point. However, there is no doubt that, until that point in time, it remains entirely lawful to provide ventilation to Alfie; and that can be done by a medical service provider of your choice.

For these reasons, as a matter of law it is your right to come to Alder Hey Hospital with a team of medical professionals with their own life-support equipment, and move Alfie to such other place as you consider is best for him. You do not need any permission from Alder Hay Hospital or the Court to do so.

Hope this clarifies the matter.

Pavel Stroilov
Christian Legal Centre
Standing with Christians for Life

Follow the story here: www.lifesitenews.com/news/breaking-police-block-baby-alfie-from-leaving-hospital