WITHDRAWAL OF LIFE-SUSTAINING TREATMENT:NHS Trust v Baby X [2012] EWHC 2188 (Fam)

By Samantha Bangham, Law Reporter - 07 August 2012

(Family Division, Hedley J, 30 July 2012) 

The baby had suffered a catastrophic accident at home which resulted in profound and irreversible brain damage. NHS staff concluded that it was no longer in the child's best interests to remain on artificial ventilation as no improvement would be made in the future. The parents opposed withdrawal on various grounds one of which being their religious faith.

The medical evidence was that the baby was no longer aware of his surroundings and there was doubt as to whether he was even able to experience discomfort from treatment. On balance it was in the child's best interests to withdraw treatment save for palliative care.

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