December 8, 2024

Court allows hospital to shut down comatose boy’s devices in UK

3 min read
Court allows hospital to shut down comatose boy's devices in UK
The judge ruled that Archie Battersby was brain dead and that devices should be turned off as recommended by doctors

The judge ruled that Archie Battersby was brain dead and that devices should be turned off as recommended by doctors

Photo: HOLLIE DANCE / PA WIRE

A court has again halted treatment of a comatose boy after suffering a brain injury in England.

Archie Battersby, 12, was found unconscious at his home in Southend-on-Sea on April 7.

Doctors at the Royal London Hospital in London, where the baby is being admitted, told the court it was “highly likely” that Archie was “brain dead” and asked permission to turn off the machines.

Holly Dance, the boy’s mother, said she was “broken” and the family plans to appeal the decision so Archie’s treatment can continue.

Archie Battersby was found unconscious at his home.  His mother said he was participating in an internet challenge

Archie Battersby was found unconscious at his home. His mother said he was participating in an internet challenge

Photo: HOLLIE DANCE / PA WIRE

“Archie wants us to keep fighting… and we will keep fighting,” she said.

This is the second time the case has been taken to the High Court of London. A second judge previously agreed with the doctors and ruled Archie’s death, and on Friday (15/7) Judge Hayden also ruled in favor of the hospital.

He heard the case in the Supreme Court on Monday (7/11) after the family went to the Court of Appeal, which ruled that a new hearing should be held.

Judge Hayden said continuing treatment would be “futile” and “would only serve to prolong his death, and not be able to prolong his life,” he said.

Lawyers representing Barts Health NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, told the judge that Archie had suffered a “devastating” brain injury.

They argued that life support devices were a “burden”, “dignified” and “morally painful” for the physicians treating them.

Archie’s parents argued that the treatment should continue as long as his heart was beating.

The 12-year-old boy suffered a traumatic brain injury in his home. His mother says she believes her son participated in an online challenge that left him unconscious.

Holly and Archie’s father, Paul Battersby, receives support from the Christian Legal Center organization, in an effort to keep the devices in good shape.

During a three-day hearing last week, experts said clinical tests showed no “obvious” brain activity.

Judge Emma Arbuthnot said at the time that she had given “permission to medical professionals at the Royal London Hospital to stop mechanical ventilation for Archie Battersby”.

Holly Dance said the family won't give up on Archie

Holly Dance said the family won’t give up on Archie

Photo: HOLLIE DANCE

The mother criticizes the court’s decision

In a statement issued after Judge Arbuthnot’s first ruling, Archie’s mother said she was “deeply disappointed and disappointed with the decision after weeks of fighting a legal battle, when I wanted to be at my son’s bedside.”

“Basing this decision on an MRI test and finding ‘probably’ dead is not enough. It is believed that this is the first time someone has been declared ‘probably’ dead based on an MRI test.”

She said she was “disgusted” that the hospital and the judge did not take into account the family’s wishes and added that she did not think Archie had had enough time to recover.

“His heart was still beating, and he held my hand knowing as a mother he was still there,” she said.

“Until God’s will, I won’t let him go. I’ve heard of miracles where people brain die and come back to life.”

But Judge Hayden said evidence showed Archie had suffered a “significant injury” to “multiple areas” of the brain and had “never regained consciousness”.

Judge Arbuthnot said Archie’s family’s devotion was “extraordinary”.

“If Archie remains on CPR, the likely outcome for him is sudden death, and the prospects for recovery are nil,” she said.

“He doesn’t feel happy in life, and his brain damage is irreversible,” Arbuthnot said. According to the judge’s decision, based on MRI records, Archie’s death occurred on May 31.

According to Arbuthnot, this situation made it impossible for his “dear and beloved family to say goodbye.”

Alistair Chaeser, medical director at the charity that runs the hospital, said his thoughts are with Archie’s family and that he “ensures there is room for the family to decide whether they want to appeal.” [na Justiça] before making any changes in care.”

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