England's senior family judge has ruled that a woman in a persistent vegetative state (PVS) should be given a sleeping pill that has been reported to temporarily wake up PVS patients, despite the wishes of her family that she should be allowed to die with dignity.

Mark Potter, president of the High Court's family division, backed the official solicitor, acting for the 53 year old woman, who argued that the drug zolpidem should be given a brief trial before a final decision was made to discontinue artificial nutrition and hydration.

The woman, who cannot be named, is in a PVS …