A high court in the U.K. allowed doctors to discontinue further treatment options for an extremely neurologically disabled boy. The child's parents, upon hearing that the boy would only be provided with palliative care, were devastated.
Judge's Verdict Essentially A Death Sentence
The child's parents said Justice Parker's decision issued on Wednesday "effectively condemns their son to death," the Guardian reported. The patient is suffering from an incurable unidentified type of neurological disorder, which prompted the deterioration of his physical condition. Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS foundation trust is responsible for the boy's treatment.
Kavi Mayor, the parents' lawyer, said the child's life is worthy of saving. They insisted that all possible treatment options for the boy should be explored.
Severely Damaged
The patient's parents argued all treatment options should be available for the boy instead of just palliative care. The judge, however, said the boy's condition worsens each day and that his brain is severely damaged.
According to specialists, further invasive treatments would be stressful and heavy for the child and more aggressive and invasive medication wouldn't give any therapeutic benefit to the patient. Palliative care is a multidisciplinary medical care provided to people with serious illnesses and their families, the World Health Organization wrote. Palliative care combines physical, psychosocial and spiritual treatment, as well as giving support to the patient's family.
According to Parker, specialists and independent experts saw that the child is suffering from an incurable and untreatable illness. The patient has breathing and hearing problems and is unable to walk, crawl, swallow, talk and sit unaided. He was being fed via a tube connected to his stomach.
Parker said the boy's parents refuse to accept the doctors' verdict on their son's condition, adding that artificially prolonging the child's life wouldn't be good for him, the Guardian further reported. Parker said majority of the parents' views are wishful thinking. The couple is hoping that as long as the boy stays alive, there are higher chances of finding a cure for his condition.
The boy's neurological disorder was diagnosed when he was just a few weeks old. He has been staying in the hospital under the care of a neurologist since then.
The child, now two years old, is reportedly unable to comprehend his environment, according to NHS' barrister Debra Powell, the Independent reported. Powell said the boy used to giggle and laugh when played with and tickled, but he doesn't do that anymore. The parents, meanwhile, claimed the child enjoys music and reacts to their presence.
