Theresa May criticises 'unacceptable' abuse of Great Ormond Street staff over Charlie Gard case
2 min read
Theresa May has added her voice to the chorus of condemnation of the “abuse and intimidation” of staff working at Great Ormond Street Hospital over the Charlie Gard case.
The hospital revealed it was in contact with the Metropolitan Police after a “shocking and disgraceful tide of hostility”, including death threats, towards its workers.
The parents of Charlie Gard are embroiled in a legal dispute about the treatment of the terminally-ill baby.
The hospital has said the best option would be to withdraw life support, but his parents want to take him to the US for an experimental treatment for his genetic disorder.
Mary MacLeod, the chairman of Great Ormond Street Hospital, revealed at the weekend that members of staff had received “abuse both in the street and online”.
She added: “Thousands of abusive messages have been sent to doctors and nurses whose life's work is to care for sick children. Many of these messages are menacing, including death threats.
“Families have been harassed and discomforted while visiting their children, and we have received complaints of unacceptable behaviour even within the hospital itself.”
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman today condemned the threats.
“There aren’t any circumstances where it’s acceptable for people working in the NHS to suffer abuse or intimidation,” the spokesman said.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt tweeted that it was a “sad and complex case but it’s totally unacceptable that dedicated Drs & nurses at one of our great NHS institutions are suffering this abuse”.
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