Teenager with learning disabilities to get dialysis despite doctors’ concerns

Doctors have agreed to provide life-saving kidney dialysis to a 17-year-old girl who has severe learning disabilities on a trial basis despite having reservations about her ability to cope, a judge in a specialist court has been told.

Hospital bosses wanted a court decision on whether dialysis was in the best interests of Sana Hosseini (pictured) who has “chronic” kidney disease.

But lawyers have told Mrs Justice Theis that specialists had agreed to try dialysis.

Sana’s mother Maryam Nogourani and father Majid Hosseini, who live in the Manchester area, want her to have dialysis.

The judge was told that Ms Nogourani was “very enthusiastic” about treatment starting.

Mrs Justice Theis is overseeing Sana’s case at hearings in the Court of Protection, where judges consider issues relating to people who lack the mental capacity to make decisions for themselves.

The judge, who is based in London and also oversees hearings in the Family Division of the High Court, has approved the plan.

She heard, at the latest hearing, that Sana would die if she did not have dialysis – or a transplant.

The judge said dialysis would involve Sana having to sit still for lengthy periods several times a week.

She said the teenager might inadvertently tamper with equipment and put herself at risk.

But the judge said the benefits of dialysis “heavily” outweighed the “inherent risks”.

Bosses at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, which is based in Salford, Greater Manchester, have responsibility for Sana’s care and have begun litigation.

Mrs Justice Theis said she aimed to review the case in November.

The judge praised the efforts medics were making to prepare Sana for dialysis.

She heard that preparations involved pretending to give Sana’s favourite doll, Mario, similar treatment.

Sana’s parents, whose legal team was led by barrister Victoria Butler Cole KC, said in a statement: “We were under immense pressure and stress, it is a huge burden lifted off our shoulders and now we are over the moon.

“We hugged Sana and all of us cried, and all of us were so emotional that Sana could now live happily.

“We’re really grateful to Elizabeth and her wonderfully professional team for their hard work, efforts, and helpful support.”

Law firm Irwin Mitchell is representing Sana’s parents.

“This is a highly emotive and time-sensitive case,” lawyer Elizabeth Ridley, based at Irwin Mitchell, said.

“Without treatment, Sana would have almost certainly had a very short life expectancy.

“Sana’s parents strongly consider that their daughter has already responded well to treatment and that she deserves to receive treatment like anyone else, without her learning disabilities, would.

“The court was asked to decide whether receiving this life-sustaining treatment was in Sana’s best interests.

“Sana’s parents and the trust have worked together to find the best way to facilitate her urgent treatment.

“The judge ruled in favour of Sana receiving this life-saving treatment and understandably her parents are delighted with the outcome.

“They now look forward to Sana being treated and will consider her future need for a donor kidney.”

Ms Ridley said: “Following this ruling, they hope Sana will make a good recovery and ultimately be able to continue living a happy, fulfilling life with her loved ones.”

Judges normally rule that patients at the centre of Court of Protection cases should not be named in media reports to protect their privacy.

But Mrs Justice Theis ruled that Sana could be named – she said publicity may help to find a kidney donor.

The judge said medics treating Sana could not be named in media reports.

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