Boys Life Support Unit Switched Off Against The Wish of Christian Parents
The Judge of London’s Royal Court of Justice ruled on August 10th that the life support system of an 8-year- old boy may be switched off by team of doctors, ignoring parents’ wish to keep him alive.
The Judge of the High Court ignoring the statements of the family where they expressed their believe in the consciousness of the boy and their strong hope of a miracle happening agreed to the hospital’s request to withdraw life-sustaining treatment. He was told by the doctors and nurses that all further interventions would be futile and there was a danger of infection. The case was heard in the family division of the High Court, which has the power to decide on the “best interests” of people deemed to lack the capacity to say if they want medical treatment or not. The boy had struggled with ongoing health problems yet was able to live a normal life until his health deteriorated after surgery in June to remove an artery band. After a month on a life-support machine, doctors saw no improvement in his condition. The boy’s mother said that, although she accepted the medical evidence, she believed her son was still aware of her when she came into the ward, and that the family had not lost hope. She said: “Unexpected things can happen and because of [the boy’s] faith and my trust in God and my understanding that he is the one who gave him life he is the one alone who can end that life, I cannot agree to the lifeline of oxygen being taken away from him. God could intervene in a miraculous way.” Her husband said: “Our children have expressed the concern that if we give consent for their little brother to be taken off the Ecmo [life support machine], how do they know that we wouldn’t do something similar to them.” Sources: Christian Concern: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/end-of-life/judge-rules-that-boy%E2%80%99s-life-support-unit-can-be-switched-off-without-parent Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/children_shealth/9470501/Judge-rules-boys-life-support-can-be-switched-off-despite-parents-hope-of-miracle.html