The mother of a 2-year old child who suffered grave injuries in a road traffic accident appealed against the court order obtained by the grandmother to withdraw all respiration and to treat the child only with pain relief, sedation and nursing as appropriate.
The evidence was that the child could not feel anything below his neck, had lost his sight and hearing and was minimally conscious showing no awareness of his surroundings, with uncertain but limited life expectancy.
The court said that whilst the application of this law requires sensitivity and care of the highest order, the UK law regarding applications to withdraw life-sustaining treatment is now clear and well-established: Is it in the patient’s best interests to give or withdraw the treatment?
