The Bishop of Plymouth, Bishop Mark O’Toole expressed his concern at a Court’s judgement to withdraw artificial nutrition and hydration from RS – a Catholic man in a coma at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust after a heart attack in early November.
“My prayers are with the patient, his wife and family, and for all those involved in his care. The decision of the court to allow for the withdrawal of hydration and nutrition is very worrying. That it is deemed to be in the best interests of the patient more so. Providing food and water to very sick patients – even if by artificial means – is a basic level of care. This is care that we must strive to give whenever possible.”
