Pubdate: Tue, 30 Sep 2014
Source: Herald Sun (Australia)
Copyright: 2014 Herald and Weekly Times
Contact: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/letter
Website: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/187
Author: Andrea Hamblin
Page: 3

HAVE A HEART

Couple's Plea to Hospital for Their Sick Son

THE Melbourne couple who have controversially given their sick 
toddler cannabis oil now fear for his life after hospital doctors 
last night threatened to call the police if the drug was administered.

Cassie Batten and Rhett Wallace discharged their son Cooper from The 
Northern Hospital in Epping before the cannabis could be confiscated. 
They now feel they have nowhere to turn because doctors refuse to use 
the drug on hospital grounds. It is the first time the family has 
been prepared to reveal the name of the hospital that has been 
supporting the use of the cannabis oil and tincture for the treatment 
of their three-year-old's life-threatening seizures.

Hospital records show staff at The Northern previously included 
cannabis oil on Cooper's drug chart.

But staff yesterday called off their support. Hospital spokesman Ryan 
Brown said: "It is inappropriate for The Northern Hospital to comment 
on a patient's health or wellbeing. It is, however, Northern Hospital 
policy not to condone the administration of an illegal substance".

One of the hospital's lawyers last night tried negotiating with Mr 
Wallace, who admitted to becoming emotional during a meeting with staff.

"They (the hospital) said they would call the police and confiscate 
the cannabis. Out of respect we have not intended to release the name 
of the hospital but now we feel we have no choice; we believe he 
could go downhill."

The parents acknowledged removing Cooper was against medical advice.

"Our opinion is that he should be in hospital, but if he can't have 
the cannabis oil then he is going to go backwards," Mr Wallace said. 
"We would rather take the risk of the short-term illness, try to 
manage it at home, than the risk of brain damage, which is what 
happens every time he has a seizure."

"We don't want police involvement but we will go to any length for 
Cooper," Mr Wallace said. The parents called state politicians from 
the hospital ward last night. Both parties have previously vowed to 
overhaul the law.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom