Doctors take on 20-year-old woman's parents in CPR debate

A 20-year-old woman fighting for her life in a Midlands hospital will have her fate decided by the Court of Protection after doctors claimed she should be allowed to die.

The woman, who cannot be named, suffers from a host of problems including a severe learning disability, severe cerebral palsy and severe curvature of the spine.

Known only as AB, she also has type 2 diabetes, epilepsy and recurrent respiratory tract infections.

Currently in a critical care unit run by Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, her doctors believe she should not be given cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

The woman's parents do not support the withdrawal of treatment, a judge has heard.

Medics believe it is not 'in the best interests' of AB to give her invasive ventilation, CPR or inotropes and renal support therapy, should the need arise.

Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust have therefore asked the Court of Protection to rule on the matter.

Yesterday, Mrs Justice Theis was given an outline of the case at a preliminary hearing at the Court of Protection, where judges analyse cases involving sick and vulnerable people, in London.

She ordered the woman to be kept in a critical care unit until the court had received all the information and for her not to be identified.

But she said the health trust with responsibility for the woman's care could be named.

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Doctors take on 20-year-old woman's parents in CPR debate