The issue in The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust v YD & Ors [2025] EWCOP 31 (T3) was the potential withdrawal of treatment from a 60-year-old man, YD, in a “permanent vegetative state”.

YD was in simultaneous relationships with two women, JG and MB, and both they and the Official Solicitor opposed the application. JG did not consider that YD was religious, but was “deep into his spirituality, how things are, why they are” and that he he took it seriously; the fact that he agreed that she should call an ambulance after she had found him collapsed in October 2024 “proves to me that he chose conventional medicine and wants to heal as much as he can” [36].

MB was equally convinced that YD would not want treatment to be withdrawn, and told the Court of Protection:

“YD would like the opportunity to heal and not be forced to end life, he would choose to leave when he is ready and naturally or when the body chooses to give up, he would choose life over death. We used to talk about end of life pathways when I was a Health Care Assistant and YD would say that’s not right – a person will pass when they’re good and ready” [43]. Continue reading →