What is the ratio in Airedale NHS Trust v Bland?

Artificial nutrition and hydration constitutes medical treatment that may be lawfully withdrawn when it is no longer in the patient's best interests and serves no therapeutic purpose.

What did the court decide in Airedale NHS Trust v Bland?

The House of Lords granted a declaration permitting withdrawal of artificial feeding from Tony Bland, distinguishing between unlawful acts and lawful omissions in medical treatment.

Why is Airedale NHS Trust v Bland important for medical law?

It established the legal framework for end-of-life decisions, defining when withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment is lawful and the distinction between acts and omissions causing death.

What is the ratio in Airedale NHS Trust v Bland?

Artificial nutrition and hydration constitutes medical treatment that may be lawfully withdrawn when it is no longer in the patient's best interests and serves no therapeutic purpose.

What did the court decide in Airedale NHS Trust v Bland?

The House of Lords granted a declaration permitting withdrawal of artificial feeding from Tony Bland, distinguishing between unlawful acts and lawful omissions in medical treatment.

Why is Airedale NHS Trust v Bland important for medical law?

It established the legal framework for end-of-life decisions, defining when withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment is lawful and the distinction between acts and omissions causing death.

Public Law1 min read

Airedale NHS Trust v Bland

[1993] AC 789House of Lords1993

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“House of Lords allows withdrawal of life support from vegetative patient”

Facts

Anthony Bland suffered catastrophic brain injuries in the Hillsborough disaster and remained in a persistent vegetative state for over three years. His doctors and family sought court permission to discontinue artificial nutrition and hydration, as he had no prospect of recovery and no awareness.

Issues

Whether it was lawful to discontinue artificial nutrition and hydration from a patient in persistent vegetative state, and whether such discontinuation constituted murder or manslaughter.

Held

The House of Lords held that artificial nutrition and hydration could be lawfully withdrawn. The discontinuation of treatment constituted an omission rather than a positive act, and was in the patient's best interests.

Significance

This case established the legal framework for end-of-life medical decisions in England and Wales, particularly regarding withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment from patients in persistent vegetative state.

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OSCOLA Citation

Airedale NHS Trust v Bland [1993] AC 789 (HL)

Medical lawCriminal lawHuman rights law

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