Jehovah’s Witness can get blood

A judge in a specialist court has ruled a mentally-ill Jehovah’s Witness can have a blood transfusion if necessary when undergoing surgery on her leg.

Doctors had asked Mrs Justice Lieven to approve such a move in light of the woman’s mental health difficulties and religious beliefs.

The judge had analysed the case at a hearing in London’s Court of Protection, where issues relating to people who lack the mental capacity to make decisions are considered.

She outlined detail in a written ruling published yesterday.

The judge said she had heard submissions from lawyers via a telephone link because doctors needed a decision urgently on the woman, who cannot be identified. She said bosses at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust had responsibility for the woman’s care and had asked for a ruling on the matter.

The woman had been represented by staff from the Office of the Official Solicitor, who help vulnerable people involved in litigation.

Mrs Justice Lieven said she had concluded the woman did not have the mental capacity to make a decision about a blood transfusion.

The judge said she had also concluded the woman did not want to die and that her Jehovah’s Witness beliefs were not “central” to her personality.

She said the woman’s mother had been in support of the operation going ahead.