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Clinical decisions – available options or best interests?

In a judgment handed down on 3rd March, Townsend v Epsom & St Helier NHS Trust [2026] EWCA Civ 195, the Court of Appeal considered whether or not a ‘clinical decision’ not to continue life sustaining medical treatment was a decision subject to best interests considerations (and thus also subject to the ‘supervision’ of the Court of Protection).

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Custodial sentence for exaggerated claim against the NHS

Linda Metcalf has received an immediate 6-month custodial sentence for her deliberate attempt to defraud the NHS and deceive the Court.  She has also been ordered to pay the Trust’s costs of the proceedings.  Sentence was passed by Mr Justice Griffiths in the Leeds District Registry on 11.02.21. 

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Withdrawing clinically assisted nutrition and hydration: some clarity on mandatory court applications?

O'Farrell J handed down a judgment this morning confirming that it is not mandatory to bring before the Court of Protection the withdrawal of clinically assisted nutrition and hydration from Mr Y, who suffers from a prolonged disorder of consciousness, in circumstances where the clinical team and Mr Y's family are agreed that it is not in Mr Y's best interests to continue to receive that treatment.

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