‘Remarkable’ boy survived life support switch-off, judge says

The judge, Mr Justice Poole, has now lifted declarations which would have allowed doctors to withhold CPR or not provide certain treatments.

NR still has significant medical challenges.

Mr Justice Poole said: “I do not wish to minimise the emotional turmoil suffered by Mr and Mrs R and the continuing burdens that NR suffers because of his conditions, but it seems to me to be a wonderful surprise that NR has confounded expectations, that he no longer requires continuing invasive interventions and, in particular, that he has been able to return home to the loving care of his devoted parents.”

He said that when some orders about treatment were made in January 2024, NR was “suffering many more burdens” and there was “little to no evidence that he could derive pleasure from life, other than the consoling touch of his parents”.

However, the situation has changed: “Now he can be taken outside, for example to the park. He can enjoy the sun on his face and the feel of the wind in his hair. He is living in a loving home environment.”

Mr Justice Poole said it was a “delight” to see pictures of the boy at home with his “devoted” parents.

NR’s mother told the court in a statement that her son had “earned a new start” and he “deserves it”.

“A decision to withdraw life sustaining treatment is not a decision to bring about the death of a patient, but a decision that the continuation of the treatment is not in their best interests,” Mr Justice Poole said.