Archie Battersbee’s parents, Paul Battersbee and Hollie Dance, outside the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, east London, on August 2, 2022.
Image: AP
Britain’s highest court had upheld the doctors’ decision to let the incurable boy die. He sustained severe brain injuries in an accident. His parents’ request to have him transferred to a hospice is not complied with.
EContrary to his parents’ wishes, the terminally ill Archie cannot be placed in a hospice in England to die. The High Court in London rejected an application by the parents of the twelve-year-old in view of the risks of a transfer on Friday.
It was in Archie’s best interest that life support be removed at the hospital rather than in another setting, the judge said. In theory, the Court of Appeal can still be involved.
In a coma since April
The equipment currently keeping the boy alive at a London hospital should continue to run until at least 2 p.m. local time on Friday. The clinic had previously announced dates for the cessation of measures, which were repeatedly delayed due to the long legal dispute over Archie’s fate.
Archie has been in a coma since April. He sustained serious brain injuries in an accident at home in Southend-on-Sea, possibly during an internet dare. The treating doctors see no chance of recovery.
The UK’s highest court had backed the doctors’ decision to let Archie die. It is in the boy’s best interest. A final appeal by the parents to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg was also unsuccessful.
Archie’s parents then tried to have Archie transferred to a hospice so that their son could spend his final hours in a quieter, more peaceful environment. However, the hospital refused: “Archie is in such an unstable condition that there is a significant risk even if he is turned inside his hospital bed, which must be done as part of his ongoing care,” the hospital operator said. Therefore, being transferred by ambulance to a completely different area would most likely rapidly deteriorate his condition.
