Leslie Burke:

Statement from ALERT, 8th August 2006.

The European Court of Human Rights has refused to accept Leslie Burke's application to be heard — on the grounds that British domestic law protects the lives of patients already. (Copies of the ruling are available from ALERT). Since this is their interpretation of it, we must remind our Department of Health, hospital trusts and doctors that life is protected, whenever they seem to think otherwise. It is over to us now.

What has been gained by Leslie Burke's case is public awareness of the problem. Everyone knew about him, and in an opinion poll 77% agreed that helpless patients should not be deprived of food and water. (The Department of Health intervened against Leslie Burke in the Appeal Court, arguing that providing tube feeding to everyone who needed it would cost too much money).

Take note of the report in the Times of July 25th of the first day of the inquest on Mrs. Olive Nockles, who died of dehydration in hospital. Her bereaved relatives have been helped by SOS-NHS — Patients in Danger. Any time that we hear of similar treatment of patients, we must fight like they have.

Click here for the Press Release