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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Couple's distress at baby ruling | Couple's distress at baby ruling |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The parents of a seriously ill baby have said they are "deeply distressed" by a court ruling allowing him to die. | The parents of a seriously ill baby have said they are "deeply distressed" by a court ruling allowing him to die. |
| They said they planned to "enjoy what little time" they had left with their "beautiful and beloved boy". | They said they planned to "enjoy what little time" they had left with their "beautiful and beloved boy". |
| He has a rare metabolic disorder and has suffered brain damage and major respiratory failure. | He has a rare metabolic disorder and has suffered brain damage and major respiratory failure. |
| The parents failed to overturn an earlier ruling and it is understood doctors will stop treating the nine-month-old within 24 hours. | The parents failed to overturn an earlier ruling and it is understood doctors will stop treating the nine-month-old within 24 hours. |
| "Belief in his humanity" was the reason they had fought the medical advice that he should be allowed to die, they said. | "Belief in his humanity" was the reason they had fought the medical advice that he should be allowed to die, they said. |
| Two appeal judges have upheld a High Court ruling which gives doctors at an unnamed NHS trust powers to turn off the ventilator keeping "baby OT" alive. | Two appeal judges have upheld a High Court ruling which gives doctors at an unnamed NHS trust powers to turn off the ventilator keeping "baby OT" alive. |
| There is no further avenue of appeal for the parents. | There is no further avenue of appeal for the parents. |
| 'Life is worthwhile' | 'Life is worthwhile' |
| The couple had sought to appeal against a judge's ruling on Thursday that it was in the boy's best interests to withdraw his "life sustaining treatment". | The couple had sought to appeal against a judge's ruling on Thursday that it was in the boy's best interests to withdraw his "life sustaining treatment". |
| In a statement, they said they knew of only one other child with their son's condition and everyone was in "unknown territory". | In a statement, they said they knew of only one other child with their son's condition and everyone was in "unknown territory". |
| "We are and always will be convinced that despite his desperate problems his life is worthwhile and is worth preserving as long as it is possible to do so without causing him undue pain. | "We are and always will be convinced that despite his desperate problems his life is worthwhile and is worth preserving as long as it is possible to do so without causing him undue pain. |
| "That was the real argument between us and the doctors - they think his life is intolerable and that his disability is such that his life has little purpose; but we, along with some of the nurses, believed that he experiences pleasure and that he has long periods where he was relaxed and pain free. | "That was the real argument between us and the doctors - they think his life is intolerable and that his disability is such that his life has little purpose; but we, along with some of the nurses, believed that he experiences pleasure and that he has long periods where he was relaxed and pain free. |
| "Our belief in his humanity and inherent worth justified us taking every step to support him." | "Our belief in his humanity and inherent worth justified us taking every step to support him." |
| "Despite all the problems and creeping mistrust" between them and the medical team, the couple said they "remain enormously grateful to the National Health Service for the huge effort and massive cost that has been involved in OT's battle for life". | |
| 'Deepest sympathy' | 'Deepest sympathy' |
| The Court of Appeal judges refused the couple permission to challenge a decision by Mrs Justice Parker made after a 10-day hearing. | The Court of Appeal judges refused the couple permission to challenge a decision by Mrs Justice Parker made after a 10-day hearing. |
| Neither the baby, the trust involved in the case, nor the parents - Mr and Mrs T - can be identified. | Neither the baby, the trust involved in the case, nor the parents - Mr and Mrs T - can be identified. |
| Lord Justice Ward was told the couple had decided to wait outside the courtroom while the ruling was given as they could not face hearing the decision. | Lord Justice Ward was told the couple had decided to wait outside the courtroom while the ruling was given as they could not face hearing the decision. |
| He said he would like to have addressed them personally and asked their lawyers to pass on the message that it was impossible not to feel the "deepest sympathy for their predicament". | He said he would like to have addressed them personally and asked their lawyers to pass on the message that it was impossible not to feel the "deepest sympathy for their predicament". |
| The NHS trust had argued that the boy was suffering intolerable pain as a result of his treatment and condition and had no prospect of recovery. | The NHS trust had argued that the boy was suffering intolerable pain as a result of his treatment and condition and had no prospect of recovery. |
| Lord Justice Ward and Lord Justice Wilson said they would give the reasons for their decision at a later date. | Lord Justice Ward and Lord Justice Wilson said they would give the reasons for their decision at a later date. |