Couple claims doctors are trying to hasten Charlotte’s death

POLICE have been called in to investigate claims that a hospital involved in a legal fight over the treatment of a seriously ill baby has been administering drugs to hasten the child’s death.

Charlotte Wyatt, who was born three months premature with massive damage to her brain and vital organs, was the focus of a High Court battle after doctors asked for permission not to resuscitate her if she stopped breathing.

Her parents had argued that she had the right to life.

Mr Justice Hedley ruled in favour of the doctors, stating Charlotte’s quality of life would be poor if she was to be resuscitated in such circumstances.

Now her parents, Darren and Debbie Wyatt, have made an official complaint to Hampshire Police over the subsequent treatment of their one-year-old daughter at St Mary’s Hospital in Portsmouth.

They claim doctors are now treating Charlotte with levels of morphine that could speed up her death.

But the hospital said that the use of morphine was solely to ease the baby’s suffering.

The allegations were made nine days before the Wyatts took the treatment of Charlotte back to the High Court on November 29.

The couple argued that doctors should not be allowed to give their daughter morphine for a broken leg.

But Justice Hedley ruled that it was appropriate for Charlotte to continue receiving this treatment.

The fracture is understood to have been caused because Charlotte’s limbs are extremely vulnerable as they have never been weight-bearing.

A Hampshire Police spokeswoman confirmed that an investigation had been launched about the claims against Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust.

She said: “I can confirm that we are investigating an allegation made by Mrs Wyatt on November 20.

“Officers have the full support of the hospital staff. To date, there is no evidence that any criminal offences have been committed by staff members.”

The complaint to police is the latest stage in hostilities between the Wyatt family and the hospital.

The NHS Trust has recently taken the step of requiring a security guard to be present whenever Mr Wyatt visits the ward.

Pat Forsyth, spokeswoman for the Trust, said: “Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust isn’t prepared to allow anyone, even those with a sick child, to abuse staff.

“This level of security is a last resort following threats and allegations against our staff.

“We have a duty to protect our staff and other visitors to the unit.”

Ms Forsyth added that doctors were co-operating with the police inquiry and had allowed officers access to Charlotte’s medical files.