Judge said medics could stop feeding woman locked in end stage of MS

A woman in her late 60s who was “locked into the end stage” of multiple sclerosis died in late 2015 after a Court of Protection judge allowed medics to cease artificial feeding.

The woman’s daughter had told how her mother was “completely incapacitated” and had asked Mr Justice Hayden to allow medics to stop providing “clinically-assisted nutrition and hydration”.

Mr Justice Hayden had considered the views of the daughter, other relatives, medics involved in her treatment, carers, independent medical experts and lawyers he had appointed to represent the woman.

No-one involved in the case had opposed the application made by the daughter.

Mr Justice Hayden had said he could not “contemplate a more difficult decision”.

He said his decision was an “evolution in case law”.

Four years earlier, a judge had ruled that a brain-damaged, minimally conscious 52-year-old woman should not be allowed to die.

Mr Justice Baker’s ruling was hailed as a landmark decision which clarified the law relating to the care of the severely disabled.

He had said there was dignity in the life of a disabled person who was “well cared for and kept comfortable” – and decided that life-supporting treatment should not be withdrawn.

He concluded the woman had “some positive experiences” which could be “extended”.

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