A ruling in the Court of Protection could have implications for people of faith throughout the UK after a judge granted an application from an NHS Trust not to give an elderly devout Muslim intensive resuscitation.
The man, who is only minimally conscious and has been in this state for 10 years, is being cared for by his family. However, they say that should he have another life-threatening occurrence, they want the Trust to give him intensive resuscitation or admit him to intensive care, as his suffering will bring him closer to God.
While praising the family for their care, courage and obvious faith, the judge ruled that the Trust could withhold treatment, as to prolong life in this case would effectively be “restarting a life which has stopped”.
The case was brought after the man, known only as VT, suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this year after a bout of pneumonia. His son gave him CPR until the ambulance arrived but by the time he got to hospital it was concluded that he had sustained a very severe brain injury and had no hope of a meaningful recovery.
Summing up, Mr Justice Hayden said that the family wanted VT to continue suffering, as to deprive him of that opportunity was to deprive him of the chance to purify himself before death. If continuing his life meant continuing his suffering then to withdraw active intervention would compromise that desire.
However, the judge added that while VT’s wishes are one of the most important factors to be considered by the court, CPR was not in his best interests and that to require staff to treat him in intensive care would be “entirely futile”.
The solicitor acting for the family said that the ruling would have “major repercussions for people of faith” and that the family will consider appealing the decision.