Written question asked by Andrew Selous (Conservative) on Monday, 4 February 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 26 February 2002. It was answered by Yvette Cooper (Labour) on Tuesday, 26 February 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, in how many cases the courts have (a) considered and (b) agreed to the withdrawal of nutrition and hydration for patients in a persistent vegetative state since the Bland judgement. - Including figures.

Answer: Andrew Selous: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department in how many cases the courts have (a) considered and (b) agreed to the withdrawal of nutrition and hydration for patients in a persistent vegetative state since the Bland judgment. [34095] Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply. The courts have, since the Bland judgment in 1993, considered 29 such cases in respect of people in a permanent vegetative state, and on each occasion have issued a declaration authorising the withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 34095; 380 c1186W;380 c1189W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Consent to medical treatment Food Euthanasia Patients Mental capacity Persistent vegetative state
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk