A woman who has fought anorexia nervosa for more than 30 years should not be force fed by NHS carers, a judge has ruled. Health service chiefs had asked Mr Justice Mostyn what actions would be in the woman’s best interest. The judge said the woman had said she has had the condition for 36 years, but could not continue the fight.
Judge Mostyn described the case as “very disturbing” at an online court hearing on Thursday (May 18).
He heard the woman suffered from “overpowering delusions” and her condition was “entirely involuntary”.
The woman had in recent weeks equivocated between wanting to be taken to a hospice to die and ingesting minimal amounts, the court heard.
She had made it “absolutely clear” that she did not want to be force fed and found the idea “abhorrent”.
Mr Justice Mostyn said clinicians treating her had also said they would not force feed.
The judge decided she lacked the mental capacity to make decisions about care and treatment options in respect of her nutrition and hydration and lacked the capacity to litigate.
But he was “quite sure” that her “very strong” wish not to be force fed should be respected and ruled it would be lawful for medics not to force feed.
He made the ruling at the Court of Protection where judges consider issues about people who lack the mental capacity to make decisions.
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Mr Justice Mostyn, who is based in London and also oversees hearings in the Family Division of the High Court, said the woman could not be identified by the media.
Barrister Emma Sutton KC represented the woman’s interests and was instructed by staff from the office of the Official Solicitor, which provides help to vulnerable people involved in litigation.
Lawyers led by Vikram Sachdeva KC, representing the NHS Trust involved, had asked the judge to make decisions about what moves were in the woman’s best interests.
Mr Justice Mostyn said: “She has bravely battled this terrible condition for 36 years.”
He continued: “She now says that she cannot continue the fight.
“She declares she no longer has the strength or other mental resources to carry on the struggle and is now ready to capitulate.”
He described the woman as “highly intelligent” and said if she died the world would be “an emptier place”.
She has battled the condition since she was 14-years-old.
An estimated 1.25 million people in the UK suffer from eating disorders, according to the charity Beat which works to end the pain and suffering caused by such conditions.
It says eating disorders can affect people of any race, sex, sexuality or background. The NHS reports that teenagers between 13 and 17 are mostly affected.
The causes of eating disorders are “complex” and not yet fully understood, but include a mix of genetic, biological and cultural factors, Beat says.
It also says the majority of people with eating disorders are within a “normal” weight range.
If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s health, you can contact Beat on 0808 801 0677 or beateatingdisorders.org.uk
The NHS also publishes advice for anyone with an eating disorder, their friends and family.
To find out more about eating disorders visit the NHS’s overview here.
