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| Neon Roberts 'should have radiotherapy' for tumour | Neon Roberts 'should have radiotherapy' for tumour |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A seven-year-old boy at the centre of a legal dispute over cancer treatment should be given radiotherapy as soon as possible, a High Court judge has heard. | A seven-year-old boy at the centre of a legal dispute over cancer treatment should be given radiotherapy as soon as possible, a High Court judge has heard. |
| Neon Roberts underwent surgery on a brain tumour on Wednesday against his mother's wishes. | Neon Roberts underwent surgery on a brain tumour on Wednesday against his mother's wishes. |
| Sally Roberts, 37, wanted a delay until more doctors had been consulted, and does not want him to have radiotherapy because she has future health concerns. | Sally Roberts, 37, wanted a delay until more doctors had been consulted, and does not want him to have radiotherapy because she has future health concerns. |
| Doctors said Neon's condition would worsen without further treatment. | Doctors said Neon's condition would worsen without further treatment. |
| Anti-vomit pills stopped | Anti-vomit pills stopped |
| The hearing in London was earlier told by Ian Peddie, QC for Ms Roberts, that her son's operation on Wednesday "went well." | The hearing in London was earlier told by Ian Peddie, QC for Ms Roberts, that her son's operation on Wednesday "went well." |
| The court heard that during the surgery evidence was found of a tumour nodule which had been predicted. | The court heard that during the surgery evidence was found of a tumour nodule which had been predicted. |
| However, tests on spinal fluid showed no evidence of cancerous cells elsewhere. | However, tests on spinal fluid showed no evidence of cancerous cells elsewhere. |
| Doctors said they believed it would not be in Neon's interests to delay preparation for radiotherapy as it would worsen his prognosis. | Doctors said they believed it would not be in Neon's interests to delay preparation for radiotherapy as it would worsen his prognosis. |
| They said radiotherapy normally took two weeks preparation but, in this case, they wanted to start as soon as possible. | They said radiotherapy normally took two weeks preparation but, in this case, they wanted to start as soon as possible. |
| One doctor said the impact of radiotherapy should not be overstated because "we use lower doses now". | One doctor said the impact of radiotherapy should not be overstated because "we use lower doses now". |
| Mrs Roberts previously told the court she was not a "bonkers mother" and she feared treatment such as radiotherapy could do Neon long-term harm including causing brain damage or infertility. | Mrs Roberts previously told the court she was not a "bonkers mother" and she feared treatment such as radiotherapy could do Neon long-term harm including causing brain damage or infertility. |
| The court also heard Mrs Roberts had refused permission for her son to be given medicine in the last few days to stop him vomiting. | The court also heard Mrs Roberts had refused permission for her son to be given medicine in the last few days to stop him vomiting. |
| While hearing evidence from a child cancer specialist about the benefit and risks of radiotherapy, the doctor said research showed the treatment proposed for Neon tended to lead to a "modest" decline in IQ of maybe five points. | While hearing evidence from a child cancer specialist about the benefit and risks of radiotherapy, the doctor said research showed the treatment proposed for Neon tended to lead to a "modest" decline in IQ of maybe five points. |
| "I would expect the patient to go to mainstream school - with support. My experience is that they can take exams," he said. | "I would expect the patient to go to mainstream school - with support. My experience is that they can take exams," he said. |
| When being cross-examined by counsel for Sally Roberts, the doctor was asked about alternative treatment and therapies. | When being cross-examined by counsel for Sally Roberts, the doctor was asked about alternative treatment and therapies. |
| The doctor replied that health staff were open to families interested in using complementary therapies alongside conventional treatment. | The doctor replied that health staff were open to families interested in using complementary therapies alongside conventional treatment. |
| Giving evidence later, Mrs Roberts said she objected to anti-vomiting drugs because she was not sure Neon needed them and she was concerned he was being given medicines unnecessarily. | Giving evidence later, Mrs Roberts said she objected to anti-vomiting drugs because she was not sure Neon needed them and she was concerned he was being given medicines unnecessarily. |
| She said she knew about "thousands of studies" of children being treated without radiotherapy, but added she had not had time to find experts to testify. | She said she knew about "thousands of studies" of children being treated without radiotherapy, but added she had not had time to find experts to testify. |
| Mr Justice Bodey said the court cold not have random studies presented but said Mrs Roberts should select one study she most wanted to rely on. | Mr Justice Bodey said the court cold not have random studies presented but said Mrs Roberts should select one study she most wanted to rely on. |
| Neon's father Ben, who lives in London and is separated from Ms Roberts, has agreed to radiotherapy but is "apprehensive", the court heard previously. | Neon's father Ben, who lives in London and is separated from Ms Roberts, has agreed to radiotherapy but is "apprehensive", the court heard previously. |
| When asked if he should have overriding consent over treatment, Mrs Roberts replied: "But I'm his mother." | When asked if he should have overriding consent over treatment, Mrs Roberts replied: "But I'm his mother." |
| The court heard Mr Roberts would like custody of Neon for the duration of any treatment. Mrs Roberts said she had no objection if she could visit daily. | The court heard Mr Roberts would like custody of Neon for the duration of any treatment. Mrs Roberts said she had no objection if she could visit daily. |
| Mr Justice Bodey said he was minded to make a default ruling on Neon's continuing treatment unless Mrs Roberts could produce someone who could offer other treatment that was in Neon's best interests. | Mr Justice Bodey said he was minded to make a default ruling on Neon's continuing treatment unless Mrs Roberts could produce someone who could offer other treatment that was in Neon's best interests. |
| Mrs Roberts wanted to seek an adjournment until January but that was rejected by Mr Justice Bodey, who said he was likely to give judgement on Friday. | Mrs Roberts wanted to seek an adjournment until January but that was rejected by Mr Justice Bodey, who said he was likely to give judgement on Friday. |
| The NHS asked for a final order to be made on Thursday. | The NHS asked for a final order to be made on Thursday. |
| The judge ruled on Tuesday the surgery should go ahead after an MRI scan revealed a residual tumour left from the boy's last operation. | |
| Earlier in the month New Zealand-born Mrs Roberts went into hiding with her son, sparking a nationwide search before both were found unharmed. | Earlier in the month New Zealand-born Mrs Roberts went into hiding with her son, sparking a nationwide search before both were found unharmed. |
| A judge has previously ruled the hospital should not be identified. | A judge has previously ruled the hospital should not be identified. |
| The hearing continues. | The hearing continues. |