Mr L case: adjourned until October

The case being heard in the High Court regarding a 55-year old Muslim man who can only be identified as ‘L’ for legal reasons and Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has been adjourned until 1 October.

Mr Justice Moylan has ordered that Mr L should be resuscitated should he undergo a further cardiac arrest in the meantime but medical staff did not have to attempt to revive him unless they were of the opinion that such action would restart his heart and enable him to breath.

Although Mr L does not currently require any life-support machinery, the court has heard that he has suffered three cardiac arrests; most recently in July and this had led to significant brain damage.

Doctors for the Trust believe that Mr L would have "minimal prospects of improving neurological function" and no "meaningful quality of life" if treatment was given.
The judge stressed that no medical or nursing staff: “…is required to act contrary to their professional judgment and duties as assessed at the relevant time,"

Yesterday, the court heard that dramatic new video footage taken by family members could indicate that Mr L is no longer in a persistent vegetative state (PVS) as previously claimed. A Trust doctor who was not a qualified neurologist but had been present at the time had confirmed that Mr L had closed his eyes and grimaced when his eyes were being cleaned.

A spokesman for Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: “Due to current court proceedings we don’t think it’s appropriate to comment in detail on this case. This is a very sad and difficult situation for our staff and for the family which raises important moral and ethical issues. We appreciate the family wish to do everything they can in the best interest of their loved one as do we.”

The case continues and reporting restrictions apply. 

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/72713/mr-l-dramatic-new-evidence