Indi Gregory’s death is a scandal. Parents should be allowed to act in their child’s interests

Allowing Indi Gregory to die, rather than be moved abroad for treatment reveals serious flaws in the way British courts decide these cases, says Professor David Albert Jones. The law should be changed in order to better recognise the wishes of parents

The case of Indi Gregory is depressingly familiar. We have seen it too many times before. 

A severely-ill child is being treated in an NHS hospital in England with a condition that involves brain damage. The doctors have reached a point when they think that the child’s situation cannot be improved. Life could be extended, perhaps by weeks or even months, but death is inevitable and in the meantime, they believe that the treatment is futile and is imposing a burden. The doctors wish to withdraw what they consider to be ‘invasive’ treatment, including ventilation, while maintaining pain relief. It is not clear from what is currently in the public domain whether the less-invasive care plan would involve provision of food and fluids.