NHS North Central London Integrated Care Board v PC & Ors [2024] EWCOP 31

Decision on whether to withdraw medical treatment for PC, a 35 year old woman suffered catastrophic brain injury after a cardiac arrest. 

Following the trauma in 2020, PC had been left in what was described as a minimally conscious state and was receiving life-sustaining clinically assisted nutrition and hydration. The ICB was now seeking a  declaration regarding her medical care and treatment and it was not lawful, and not in her best interests, to continue treatment.

Cusworth J provides a thorough review of the law surrounding medical treatment cases, including the relevant code of practice, before reviewing the medical evidence and the views of PC's family, who were largely against withdrawal of treatment. He notes their views and also those of PC's carers but while she is described as 'stable' this stability was due mainly to sedation: there was evidence her treatment did cause pain. Therefore he concludes it is in PC's best interest to withdraw treatment noting at [62] 

"Further years of life may be of value to anyone, however disabled, if they are able to derive some positives from their existence. Very sadly, the only evidence that I have of PC’s condition and mood, when not sufficiently regulated by medication, is of discomfort and the experience of pain."

Read the judgment on Bailii