: SPUC Comment

On the Alfie Evans case, SPUC's Dr Anthony McCarthy commented:

"Our hearts go out to the parents, whose proposals should be listened to unless they are very clearly against the interests of their child. As an absolute minimum, we hope that Alfie will continue to receive hydration, and hope he will also receive any nutrition from which he is still able to benefit overall. Regardless of whether Alfie is well enough to travel, he has a right to basic nursing care. As with any sick child or adult, the benefits and burdens of any course of action must be weighed, while of course, no medical decision should ever have the aim of hastening death. In assessing such cases, and patients' ability to benefit, we must always ask if those referring to the 'quality of life' of the patient are in fact presuming some lives have little or no value. Such presumptions have no place in medical assessments, and should never be allowed to influence decisions on treatment or care."