Anorexic woman should be allowed to die

Date published: 18 June 2012

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A judge’s decision to order the force-feeding of a 32 year old anorexic woman has been criticised by a Rochdale MEP.

The woman, who cannot be named, has suffered from anorexia since she was 12 years old. She has twice signed legal declarations that oppose her being given food against her will.

Although describing her as “intelligent and charming”, Mr Justice Peter Jackson, sitting at the Court of Protection, ordered last Friday that she be force fed. He admitted that this was not necessarily in her best interests.

Rochdale Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies accepted that the judge had had to make a difficult decision but he insisted that the woman’s wishes should be respected.

He said: “Is she to be tied down and fed by force against her will for a week, a month, or for the rest of her life?

“This is not a matter of treating a child who may recover, but of respecting the repeated wishes of a mature woman who understands the consequences of her decision.”

Comments

I would have thought that a person in this MEP's position would realise that is not how a person is force fed. This woman has obviously very serious emotional problems. Like thousands that are wishing her well and praising the judge for his decision it is hoped she is able to pick up her life and live it to the full with the right help and support. Life is precious. Since when has this country condoned suicide Mr Davies?

This lady would do better in an environment like Earth House (New Jersey) perhaps than a hospital that force feed patients. It is like that where my daughter is right now, NHS care at a top leading hospital where they force feed the mentally ill drug after drug against their wishes. Now on her 14th drug, age 25, I am most concerned for my daughter's well being. I am only allowed 1 - 2 hours escorted leave. She has multiple diagnoses and was promised a drug free period. NHS care for you!

I think it is wrong that she should be force fed - my daughter is extremely ill right now and equally I think it is wrong that the mentally ill are forced to take drugs like my daughter against their wishes when there is no proof of the diagnosis and multiple diagnoses There needs to be nicer facilities that look at the underlying cause and diet such at Earth House in America where they treat patients with respect. My daughter does not know what drug she is on right now. How wrong this is.