Isaiah Haastrup's Parents Lose Appeal Over Decision To Withdraw Life Support

Treatment is 'not in his best interests.'

The parents of a brain-damaged baby boy have lost a Court of Appeal fight after complaining that a High Court judge was wrong to allow doctors to stop providing life-support treatment to the youngster.

Mr Justice MacDonald earlier this year ruled that doctors could provide only palliative care to 12-month-old Isaiah Haastrup.

Three appeal judges on Friday dismissed a challenge by Lanre Haastrup and Takesha Thomas, who are both in their 30s and from Peckham, south-east London.

Family handout of Isaiah Haastrup with his aunt Dahlia Thomas
Family handout of Isaiah Haastrup with his aunt Dahlia Thomas
PA

Lord Justice Patten, Lord Justice McFarlane and Lady Justice King had considered the case at a Court of Appeal hearing in London earlier this week.

Mr Justice MacDonald had analysed evidence at a trial in the Family Division of the High Court in London in January.

Specialists at King’s College Hospital in London said giving further intensive care treatment to the little boy was “futile, burdensome and not in his best interests”.

They had asked Mr Justice MacDonald to give them the go-ahead to provide only palliative care.

Mr Haastrup and Miss Thomas wanted treatment to continue.

Mr Justice MacDonald ruled in favour of hospital bosses but said doctors should continue treating Isaiah until appeal judges had considered the case.

Isaiah Haastrup's mother Takesha Thomas and father Lanre Haastrup outside the High Court in London
Isaiah Haastrup's mother Takesha Thomas and father Lanre Haastrup outside the High Court in London
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