A judge says doctors can withdraw life support from seven-month-old girl Indi Gregory.
Image source, Family Handout/GoFundMeDoctors can withdraw life support from a critically ill seven-month-old baby, a High Court judge has ruled.
Indi Gregory has mitochondrial disease and medics at the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham have said they can do no more for her.
Their application to the High Court to end her treatment had been opposed by the child’s parents, from Ilkeston in Derbyshire.
Mr Justice Peel has ruled “with a heavy heart” that doctors can stop treatment.
Mitochondrial disease prevents cells in the body producing energy and the NHS says the condition is incurable.
Image source, Family Handout/GoFundMe
In his judgment, the judge said the devotion of the family to Indi was “palpable” and their pain “almost unimaginable”.
He said: “Nobody could fail to be moved by their concern for their child, and their belief in Indi’s resilience, courage and fortitude.”
However, he said while the wishes of the family were a powerful consideration, the medical evidence was “unanimous and clear”.
‘Very short life span’
The judge added: “With a heavy heart I have come to the conclusion that the burdens of invasive treatment outweigh the benefits.
“In short, the significant pain experienced by this lovely little girl is not justified when set against an incurable set of conditions, a very short life span, no prospect of recovery and, at best, minimal engagement with the world around her.”
Hearings have taken place behind closed doors but journalists have been allowed to attend and name Indi, her parents, and the hospital.
A doctor working at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NUH) had told the judge Indi was dying from the illness.
Image source, Victoria Jones
However, Indi’s parents, Dean Gregory and Claire Staniforth, argued their daughter had “proved everyone wrong” and “needed more time”.
Following the ruling, Mr Gregory said: “We are devastated by the judge’s ruling and will be appealing.
“The doctors painted a terribly bleak and negative picture of Indi’s condition during court proceedings.
“Indi can definitely experience happiness. She cries like a normal baby.
“We know she is disabled, but you don’t just let disabled people die. We just want to give her a chance.
“I and we as a family are prepared to do whatever it takes to fight for the life of our beautiful daughter, Indi.”
Dr Keith Girling, medical director at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, said the hearing was “challenging for everyone involved and our thoughts are with Indi and her family at this difficult time”.
He added: “Our priority will remain to provide Indi specialised care appropriate to her condition, and support her family in every way possible.”
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