Re CW; A Primary Care Trust v CW [2010] EWHC 3448 (COP)

(1) Medical treatment is of no benefit to a person in a persistent vegetative state because he is not sentient and has no prospect of recovery; whether the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment measures is in P's best interests depends on whether the diagnosis of PVS is correct; if it is correct then the provision of any treatment is futile and cannot be in his best interests. (2) CW was in a persistent vegetative state with no prospect of recovery; it was in his best interests for artificial nutrition and hydration to be withheld, which could be done lawfully; it was in his best interests to receive treatment and nursing care to ensure that he retains the greatest dignity possible until death.

Other

Before: Ryder J

Hearing and judgment: 17/11/10

Ms Nageena Khalique (instructed by Mills and Reeve) for the Applicants

Miss Harry Thomas QC (instructed by The Official Solicitor) for First Respondent

Miss Bridget Dolan (instructed by Anthony Collins Solicitors) for the Second Respondent

The Third, Fourth and Fifth Respondents were in attendance via video link

Citations

COP No: 11500872

The transcript front sheet calls the case "Re C".

(1) A Primary Care Trust (2) An NHS Trust v (1) Mr CW by his Litigation Friend The Official Solicitor) (2) HW (Mother) (3) PW (Father) (4) AW (Brother) (5) EW (Sister)

External links

Possible Bailii link (not there when checked last night, but might have appeared since)

Transcript