Severely ill 11-month old allowed to 'die peacefully', judge rules

Mr Justice Hayden, a high court judge has ruled that a seriously ill 11-month-old girl who has spent her life in hospital should be allowed to die peacefully.

 

He stated that doctors could stop providing "futile" life-support treatment to the child whose condition would not improve because she had a progressive brain injury and a severe, progressive lung disease.

 

The judge said after analysing the girl's case at a hearing in the family division of the high court in London, that evidence showed the girl was suffering and ruled that the treatment could stop on Thursday.

 

Managers at Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS foundation trust had asked for the child to be allowed to die, the judge said.

 

Her parents said they wanted a judge to take the responsibility and said that they understood the doctors' recommendation but could not make the decision to let her die themselves. 

 

"I have spent 11 months with my daughter – she is very attached to me," the girl's mother told Hayden. "I don't want to let her go … but I will respect your decision."

 

The judge said: "Sadly, it was never possible for her to leave hospital, but her parents have been there every day. They have worked with the hospital through one medical challenge after another.

 

"The primary objective now is that she should die peacefully and with dignity in her parents' arms. I have no doubt that the parents' decision is not only correct but a healthy parental instinct. Knowing when to let go of a child is part of the responsibility of being a parent."

 

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