By RNZ
The court case that ensured a baby had urgent heart surgery against his parents’ wishes cost Te Whatu Ora $26,000 in external lawyers’ fees.
Baby W made international headlines in December because his parents did not want him to have surgery if the blood products needed came from a Covid-vaccinated donor.
Te Whatu Ora Auckland successfully asked for the baby to be placed under the guardianship of the court so he could have surgery for his life-threatening heart condition.
His parents fought the bid in a day-long High Court hearing but the judge sided with surgeons and blood experts.