Diva
03-22-02, 06:35AM
(AnnaNova (http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_550782.html)) -- A paralysed woman has spoken of her delight after winning her High Court battle for the right to die.
The woman, identified only as Miss B, issued a statement through her solicitors after hearing judge Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss's ruling via video-link.
Miss B said the ruling "is a balanced and well thought out judgment" and that she is "very pleased with the outcome of this case".
Dame Elizabeth awarded Miss B £100 nominal damages for "unlawful trespass". The landmark ruling will permit the woman's life to end peacefully and with dignity, the judge said.
At the original hearing earlier this month, three screens inside the courtroom showed the woman, who is kept alive by a ventilator, lying in her bed surrounded by a team of lawyers and medical staff.
Dame Elizabeth listened as the 43-year-old former social care professional explained why she wanted to leave the hospital intensive care ward where she has been kept alive for a year and be taken to doctors who are prepared to switch off her life support machine.
While hearing the case, the judge expressed fears that she herself could become "emotionally involved" in the patient's battle.
After the visit to the hospital, the judge returned to the High Court to continue the legal argument which was relayed back to the hospital for the woman to be involved in the proceedings. It is believed to be the first time that court proceedings at a hospital have been relayed via video link.
Doctors at the hospital say it would be against their ethics to switch off the machine needed to keep the patient alive since a ruptured blood vessel in her neck a year ago left her paralysed and unable to breathe unaided.
Dame Elizabeth, who has made an order prohibiting the naming of the woman, her doctors and the hospital or NHS trust involved, gave her ruling from Birmingham where she is hearing cases on circuit.
I believe that people should be allowed to die. The Kevorkians of this world make sure that it is done quickly and painlessly. And Correctly. And you?
The woman, identified only as Miss B, issued a statement through her solicitors after hearing judge Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss's ruling via video-link.
Miss B said the ruling "is a balanced and well thought out judgment" and that she is "very pleased with the outcome of this case".
Dame Elizabeth awarded Miss B £100 nominal damages for "unlawful trespass". The landmark ruling will permit the woman's life to end peacefully and with dignity, the judge said.
At the original hearing earlier this month, three screens inside the courtroom showed the woman, who is kept alive by a ventilator, lying in her bed surrounded by a team of lawyers and medical staff.
Dame Elizabeth listened as the 43-year-old former social care professional explained why she wanted to leave the hospital intensive care ward where she has been kept alive for a year and be taken to doctors who are prepared to switch off her life support machine.
While hearing the case, the judge expressed fears that she herself could become "emotionally involved" in the patient's battle.
After the visit to the hospital, the judge returned to the High Court to continue the legal argument which was relayed back to the hospital for the woman to be involved in the proceedings. It is believed to be the first time that court proceedings at a hospital have been relayed via video link.
Doctors at the hospital say it would be against their ethics to switch off the machine needed to keep the patient alive since a ruptured blood vessel in her neck a year ago left her paralysed and unable to breathe unaided.
Dame Elizabeth, who has made an order prohibiting the naming of the woman, her doctors and the hospital or NHS trust involved, gave her ruling from Birmingham where she is hearing cases on circuit.
I believe that people should be allowed to die. The Kevorkians of this world make sure that it is done quickly and painlessly. And Correctly. And you?