Trust asks High Court to advise on advance decision of patient held under Mental Health Act

An NHS trust caring for a 23 year old Jehovah’s Witness who slashed his wrists in prison and keeps trying to reopen the wound is seeking a High Court declaration that doctors need not give him a blood transfusion, even though he might die without it.

The man, named only as J, who has a severe personality disorder and is now detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act, has signed an advance decision refusing treatment with blood or blood products. The doctors treating him believe that he has the …