Fiona Paterson represents Great Ormond Street Hospital in withdrawal of treatment case
19th February 2015
Fiona Paterson has appeared for Great Ormond Street Hospital in a High Court application concerning the withdrawal of treatment from a baby, Olivia Stanca, born with cancer.
Despite surviving chemotherapy, Olivia had deteriorated to the extent that clinicians caring for her had become concerned that her quality of life was minimal and treatment burdensome. She had spent most of her short life in Intensive Care.
Tragically, Olivia deteriorated further yesterday afternoon whilst the proceedings were before Moylan J. An agreement was reached between Olivia’s parents and Great Ormond Street, that all treatment (save for ventilation and sedation) be withdrawn and she would be taken to a private roof garden within the Hospital by her parents.
Fiona explained to the Court that it had been Mrs Stanca’s dearest wish to take Olivia to a park and be alone with her and her husband. To this end Great Ormond Street would arrange for Olivia and her parents to spend her last hours in a private roof garden.
Olivia died shortly afterwards.
The story has been extensively covered by the media. Please click the following links to read further details on the BBC, Telegraph, Guardian, Independent and Daily Mail websites.
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