King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust v LE [2025] EWCOP 46 (T3)

Applications regarding medical treatment for LE who needs surgery on gangrenous fingers after complications from a heart attack.

LE is a 46 year old woman with a long-standing diagnosis of schizophrenia and diabetes who lives in supported care. She was admitted to hospital with diabetic ketoacidosis but suffered a cardiac arrest and the treatment led to her developing dry gangrene of her hands and toes. She had been deprived of her liberty so she could be kept in hospital as, broadly, she does not believe the condition is serious.  

There was agreement that LE lacked capacity to make decisions about her medical treatment so Theis J, the Vice President, set out the two options before the court: either to have the proposed amputation surgery or conservative management only. LE had told Theis J she does not wish to die but LE does not understand that without treatment she could be at great risk. The judge also notes at [36] that LE's wishes and feelings have remained consistent in opposition to this proposed treatment but they are founded on an irrational basis. Accordingly, she concludes the treatment is in LE's best interests. 

Read the judgment on Bailii