Euthanasia debate reignited by "right to die" girl

A senior nurse has defended legislation that threatened to prosecute a terminally ill teenager who refused a life saving heart operation.

Doctors attempted to bring Hannah Jones, from Herefordshire, to the High Court in London over her right to die. The case was dismissed after the 13-year-old convinced child protection officers that she had made the right decision for herself and her family.

A nurse, who has been caring for terminally ill patients for over 30 years, has spoken out in defence of the law that could have seen Hannah operated on against her will.

The nurse, who asked not to be named, said: “They were right to take her to court. From a legal perspective she’s underage and the doctors would be held liable [for not operating].

“The law is there to protect both doctors and patients and I don’t think it should be changed because this is an exceptional case.”

The nurse's comments come as the latest in a series of statements this year over the right-to-die legislation.

Several countries in Europe, most notably Switzerland, have legalised euthanasia in recent years. In Britain, adult patients have the right to refuse treatment but cannot seek medical aid to die at a time of their choosing. It is thought that this would cause suffering to both the patient and their families.

MSP for the Lothians, Margo Macdonald, has been one of the more vocal Scottish campaigners for legal euthanasia to be introduced in the UK.

During a BBC documentary recorded in July the MSP, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, declared: “I feel strongly that, in the event of losing my dignity or being faced with the prospect of a painful or protracted death, I should have the right to choose to curtail my own, and my family's, suffering.”

Despite the politician’s strong words, any change in the law would have to be agreed with the British Medical Association (BMA), who regulate the medical profession in Britain.

On the BMA website, a 1,200 word essay explains why they are against the legalisation of euthanasia. However, Dr Tony Calland, chair of the BMA’s medical ethics committee supported Hannah’s decision, indicating that change could be on the horizon.

He said: "Decisions to refuse life-prolonging treatment are always extremely difficult and emotive. What is paramount is that decisions are made in the best interests of the patient."