The Trust made an application  in relation to the Patient, O, seeking an application that their staff might lawfully withdraw and withhold mechanical ventilation and, further, that they might lawfully withhold any escalation of treatment such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, organ support and antibiotics. The application was made on the basis that such treatment was, in their evaluation, no longer in O's best interests.

Despite the compelling, entirely unanimous and substantial body of medical opinion that has now been gathered the court found that the family were unable to let O die.
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The Courts must not pursue the principle of respect for life to the point where life has become empty of real content or to a degree where the principle eclipses or overwhelms other competing rights of the patient i.e. in this case simple respect for her dignity. 

​Paragraph 28 of the Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice which addresses life-sustaining treatment was considered.