The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has rejected an appeal from the parents of two-year-old Alta Fixsler, allowing a Manchester hospital to withdraw life support from the severely brain-damaged child. The decision was described as 'devastating' by the family's lawyers, who stated that the parents 'only want to see every option explored to try and save their daughter's life'.
Alta, who suffered a catastrophic brain injury at birth, has been cared for at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust since birth. Doctors say she has no prospect of recovery, no conscious awareness, cannot see or hear, and is in constant pain. The trust sought permission to withdraw life-sustaining treatment, which was granted by the UK Supreme Court.
The child's ultra-Orthodox Jewish parents argued that withdrawal of treatment violates their religious beliefs and parental rights. The ECHR, in a letter sent on Monday evening, agreed with the UK court's decision, allowing the hospital to place Alta on end-of-life care.
Last week, the US State Department granted a non-immigrant visa for Alta to travel to the US for assessment and possible treatment. Her father holds US citizenship, and hospitals in Israel have also offered to care for her. However, the ECHR ruling prevents such transfers.
David Foster, a partner at law firm Moore Barlow representing the family, said Alta's religion had not been adequately considered. 'In Jewish culture, one becomes a member of the faith at conception and Alta's religion forbids the withdrawal of life-saving care,' he argued. He also claimed that excessive weight was given to 'causing pain' as a factor, stating that Alta would feel no more pain being transported than lying in a Manchester bed.
Professor Dominic Wilkinson, a consultant paediatrician at John Radcliffe Hospital and director of medical ethics at Oxford University, supported the hospital's position, saying: 'Medicine cannot help [Alta] any longer. To keep her alive on machines in a state of consistent pain without any prospect of improvement ... is to harm her.'
