Parents of baby in blood battle ordered not to obstruct staff

The parents of a baby placed into the temporary custody of the court as it awaits urgent, life-saving heart surgery, tried to stop doctors preparing the infant for the operation.

The High Court has responded by ordering the parents not to obstruct health staff.

Te Whatu Ora asked for the police to step in and also asked the court if officers are entitled to use reasonable force to remove the baby from the parents.

The baby was placed under the guardianship of the High Court, after an urgent operation was delayed because his parents did not want doctors to use blood from anyone who had the Covid-19 vaccine.

The minute released last night by Justice Gault, he says  

"This afternoon just before 5:00 pm, a memorandum of counsel for the applicant was referred to me. The memorandum advised that health staff at Te Toka Tumai have endeavoured to take steps to prepare Baby W for surgery (scheduled for tomorrow morning), including taking blood tests, performing a chest x-ray and performing an anaesthetic assessment. 

Counsel understands that the parents prevented this occurring, and advised health staff that "you touch our child and we will press criminal charges against you". 

The communications between counsel and the hospital notes attached to the memorandum indicate that the parents no longer agree to Baby W's surgery

Te Whatu Ora/ Health New Zealand has asked for the police to step in and also asked the court if officers are entitled to use reasonable force to remove the baby from the parents. We have calls into Te Whatu Ora for comment.

The lawyer acting for the parents says the baby is due to have heart surgery at eight o'clock this morning. 

In a Facebook page associated with Sue Grey, they also showed a photo of police officers inside a hospital room.