Clause 4 - Best interests
Mental Capacity Bill
10:15 am
Ann Winterton (Congleton, Conservative)
Before my hon. Friend moves away from that point, may I add a rider? In the case that the hon. Member for Knowsley, North and Sefton, East has quoted, it is the doctor's responsibility to act in the best interests of his patient. If feeding through a tube or by other means is burdensome to the patient, the doctor is right to take a judgment not to do it. That is within his responsibility. Nobody would argue with that, including relatives. If the patient will be distressed or find the treatment burdensome, the doctor should not proceed.