
A judgement handed down by a High Court judge permits the legal reduction of life-support treatment for Indi Gregory, suffering from mitochondrial disease. Pleas for maintaining the treatment, brought forth by the child’s despairing parents, were rebuffed by European judicial Individuals.
Within this month, a prior High Court pronouncement had authorised the medical professionals to cease their support for Indi Gregory, afflicted with a grave genetic condition, effectively countering the wishes of the grief-stricken parents.
The parents vehemently contested the verdict, only to confront the dismissal of their appeal by esteemed judges of the Court of Appeal at the start of this week.
A subsequent appeal to the esteemed European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has met with the same fate.
Indi’s emotionally drained parents , Dean Gregory and Claire Staniforth, hail from Ilkeston in Derbyshire. They are being bolstered by the Christian Legal Centre (CLC), which announced the parents had sought a European judge to quash the intended cessation of “life-sustaining treatment” until ECHR had pondered the case in detail.
Nevertheless, a document privy to BBC revealed that ECHR had refused to obstruct the discontinuation of life support, adding that the decision was final and irrevocable.
In a heartfelt declaration released by the CLC, an anguished Mr Gregory declared, “As a father and parent, I was ready to take any possible step to shield my daughter from heartless decisions and those wishing to emulate god.” He stressed, “To us, she is our entire world, and we will leave no stone unturned to secure her wellbeing till destiny decides, as it is our solemn duty as parents to shield her.”
Mitochondrial disorder inhibits cells in the body from generating energy, thereby making it an incurable condition, according to available NHS knowledge.
Medical professionals at Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre conceded that their abilities could not extend further assistance to Indi.
Speaking on behalf of Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust’s legal assembly, Barrister Emma Sutton KC articulated that the treatment afforded to Indi was causing discomfort and was ultimately futile.
Affected by the distressing circumstances, NUH’s medical director Dr Keith Girling expressed, “Cases like these are immensely challenging for all involved, and our empathy extends to Indi’s parents.”
Following the ECHR decision, he further added, “Today’s resolution by the European Court of Human Rights marks the closure of an exceedingly strenuous chapter. “Now our immediate ambtion is to furnish the best feasible care for Indi and to provide a sanctuary of support for her parents during this traumatic period.”