Right-to-die ‘Mr L’ court battle twist

The case of a severely brain-damaged Muslim man from Greater Manchester at the centre of a High Court battle over his treatment has been adjourned for his doctors to consider fresh evidence about his condition.

A judge at the Court of Protection in London heard that new video footage has led an independent expert in neurology to conclude he is no longer in a persistent vegetative state but a “minimally conscious” state.

The judge adjourned the case until October 1 and ruled that attempts should be made to resuscitate him, wherever possible, if he should suffer a fresh cardiac arrest or other life–threatening condition before the hearing’s resumption.

The case was triggered by the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which is responsible for the care of the 55-year-old man, currently being treated in a hospital high dependency unit (HDU).

The trust is asking the court to rule that the patient should not be resuscitated if required - against the wishes of his family. Mr L suffered a cardiac arrest in mid-July which resulted in severe brain damage.

Speaking outside court, Helen Lewis, clinical negligence expert with Manchester–based firm Pannone, said on behalf of Mr L’s family: “The family feel vindicated in contesting this action.”


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