Indi’s family gives up on battle after expert evidence is rejected

Oct 31, 2023 by Jill

from Christian Concern:

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust rejected “last-ditch” evidence from a cardiologist providing expert opinion that the 8-month-baby could ”more likely than not” live without a ventilator.

The news came after the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) refused to consider the case yesterday afternoon

Indi’s parents were repeatedly barred from providing expert evidence on her condition by the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the ECHR.

Supported by the Christian Legal Centre, the family submitted evidence—as part of the ECHR application—from an expert cardiologist who could not be named due to reporting restrictions in place.

The expert’s analysis showed that Indi’s breathing problems were likely to be caused by her treatable heart condition, known as Tetralogy of Fallot, rather than, as previously thought, by brain damage from the mitochondrial disease. He pointed out that the problem could be fixed without surgery, by inserting a catheter known as a “right ventricular outflow tract stent” through one of the vessels in Indi’s groin. The expert said that the treatment would “more likely than not” enable Indi to survive without artificial ventilation.

However, in response the Trust’s lawyers brushed aside the evidence, threatened legal costs and said the expert’s opinion brought “no new material change to the circumstances.”

Read here

Update: Italian hospital offers Indi specialist treatment at the 11th hour