Citation

Keown J. J. Med. Ethics 2002; 28(4): 238-239.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/jme.28.4.238

PMID

12161577

PMCID

PMC1733604

Abstract

In the case of Ms B, the High Court ruled that as Ms B was a competent adult patient, her doctors acted unlawfully in overriding her refusal of life-preserving ventilation. This commentary considers whether this case supports the proposition that in English law the right to refuse treatment extends even to refusals which are clearly suicidal.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Death and Euthanasia; Euthanasia, Passive; Female; Humans; Legal Approach; Mental Competency; Professional Patient Relationship; Respiration, Artificial; Right to Die; Treatment Refusal; United Kingdom