Boy to die in hospital: Court rejects Archie's transfer to hospice

The probably final decision in the case of the incurable English boy Archie has been made: The London High Court refuses that the twelve-year-old is transferred to a hospice to die.

Boy to die in hospital: Court rejects Archie's transfer to hospice

The probably final decision in the case of the incurable English boy Archie has been made: The London High Court refuses that the twelve-year-old is transferred to a hospice to die. The doctors are against such a move, citing Archie's condition.

Contrary to his parents' wishes, the incurable Archie is not admitted to a hospice in England to die. The High Court in London rejected an application by the parents of the twelve-year-old in view of the risks of a transfer. It was in Archie's best interest that life support be removed at the hospital rather than in another setting, the judge said.

In theory, the Court of Appeal can still be involved. The equipment currently keeping the boy alive at a London hospital should continue to run until at least 2 p.m. local time on Friday. The clinic had previously announced dates for the cessation of measures, which were repeatedly delayed due to the long legal dispute over Archie's fate.

Britain's highest court had previously backed the doctors' decision to let Archie die. It is in the boy's best interest. A final appeal by the parents to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg was also unsuccessful.

Archie's mother, Hollie Dance, was heartbroken. "This is the end," she told reporters in London. Dance accused the clinic of breaking its promise that Archie could be placed in a hospice in a "legal worst-case scenario."

With what was probably their last proposal, the family wanted to ensure that Archie died in a quieter environment than in a hospital room. "Archie is in such an unstable condition that there is a significant risk even if he is turned inside his hospital bed, which must be done as part of his ongoing care," the hospital operator said. "This means that in his condition, being transferred by ambulance to a completely different environment would most likely hasten the premature deterioration that the family wishes to avoid."

Archie has been in a coma since April. He sustained serious brain injuries in an accident at home in Southend-on-Sea, possibly during an internet dare. The treating doctors see no chance of recovery and want to end the life-sustaining measures.