Tennessee hospital changes mind, will provide care for nine month old

Knoxville, Tenn., Nov 24, 2009 / 08:23 am

After attorneys for the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) filed an emergency court motion on behalf of a nine month-old baby whose doctors wanted to cease giving care, the hospital's board of ethics has changed its mind and allowed the baby a chance at life.

Baby Gabriel Palmer was born prematurely with a club foot and pulmonary vascular problems, reports OneNewsNow. In October, his mom brought him back to the hospital because he was having trouble breathing. He responded to treatment by going into shock and developing pulmonary vascular disease. Since then, he has been on a respirator and medication.

Though Baby Gabriel is stable and doctors say he could live a long time, the East Tennessee Children's Hospital informed his mother that they may cease giving him medical care, which includes taking him off the respirator.

Neither the mother's complaints nor a letter sent by the ADF on her behalf changed the hospital's decision. Yesterday, the ADF filed a lawsuit against the hospital, which prompted the hospital's ethics board to change its mind and say the hospital will continue providing care to the child.

However, just to be safe, the ADF has not withdrawn the lawsuit until they have confirmation in writing that the hospital will continue treatment.

“We are pleased at the ethics panel’s decision and look forward to full resolution in writing so that Baby Gabriel’s life will no longer be in danger,” said  ADF Legal Counsel Matt Bowman.