This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Court ruling not needed to withdraw care
Mr Justice Jackson has ruled that legal permission will no longer be required to end care for patients in a permanent vegetative state.
Under specific circumstance, such as a patient signing a ‘do not resuscitate’ agreement, doctors can withdraw treatment from a patient. However, the law was different for removing sustenance from an individual in a vegetative or minimally conscious state. Previously, a judge needed to have given consent to withdraw nutrition from a patient.
Now the landmark decision will change that process, paving the way for a change in the way such cases are handled by hospitals.
Sarah Wootton, chief executive of the campaign group Compassion in Dying, said: “When all parties - family, the hospital and treating doctors - are agreed on what someone would have wanted for their care, it seems absurd to require a costly court process to confirm this."
An appeal is expected from the official solicitor.
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