A woman has told a Court of Protection judge why she thinks her sick, mentally-disabled brother should be allowed to die against doctors’ wishes.
She told Mrs Justice Parker that all family members agreed that he should be allowed to ‘die naturally’.
The woman said her brother, who is in his 50s, was dependent on nurses.
‘He’s been in and out of hospital for two to three years,’ she said at a Court of Protection hearing in London on Friday.
‘He’s dependent on the nurses as they do everything for him.
A woman has told a Court of Protection judge why she thinks her sick, mentally-disabled brother should be allowed to die against doctors’ wishes
‘We just don’t feel he should continue to be put through very painful procedures.’
She added: ‘He is not able to eat or drink, and that’s another pleasure that’s been taken away from him, in the last two or three years.’
Barrister Pravin Fernando, who represented hospital bosses responsible for the man’s care, said the man had a history of severe learning disabilities and had also suffered a stroke and a heart attack.
Mr Fernando said the man was conscious, in hospital and being artificially fed through a tube inserted into his stomach.
He said doctors wanted the man to be fitted with a different feeding tube.
‘This gentleman is not in the end of life,’ said Mr Fernando.
‘He is not an individual that requires palliative care.
‘He requires feeding.’
Mr Fernando added: ‘In terms of yes and no he can communicate. Communication is limited after that.’
The man is being independently represented by Katie Gollop QC.
She has been instructed by staff from the Office of the Official Solicitor, who help people unable to represent themselves.
‘There is no disorder of consciousness,’ she told the judge.
‘He is someone who has the capacity to experience pain and communicate it.’