A decision made according to established principles to withdraw life support treatment when a patient was in a persistent vegetative state, was not a breach of the patient’s human rights. In the absence of a duty on the state to continue to provide treatment, a duty which was not recognised in other jurisdictions, it was in accordance with democratic principles. Whilst the family context was important, such a decision was not an interference with the right to family life, and since the patient was insensate, there was no element of inhuman or degrading treatment.
Citations:
Times 29-Nov-2000
Health, Human Rights
Updated: 09 April 2022; Ref: scu.84291
