HSE secures order to treat malnourished 4st 6lb woman at risk of death
The HSE has secured an emergency High Court order allowing it to take steps aimed at saving the life of an extremely underweight woman who is at risk of sudden death.
The woman, who is in her 30s, presented at a hospital in recent days very malnourished. Doctors at the hospital say she is extremely underweight, at 28-29kg (4st 6lbs)and has a very low body mass index (BMI) of 10.5, while she is very weak and has no energy.
Her doctors say that while she did eat some food following her admission, she is currently refusing to eat anything, and lacks insight into the fact that her life is at risk.
The woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, has also refused to allow staff at the hospital carry out basic medical tests on her, including taking her temperature or monitor her heart rate.
The doctors say that the woman lacks the capacity to understand what is happening to her. Yesterday evening the HSE applied to the High Court for orders allowing it to take various steps, including feeding her by nasal gastric tube, aimed at saving her life.
The orders also prevent the woman from leaving the hospital. Seeking the interim orders Donal McGuinness BL for the HSE and the hospital said the results of the limited amount of tests that the woman has allowed to be performed on her have yielded very worrying results.
She is, counsel said, in imminent risk of suffering a sudden death.
In reply to questions from Mr McGuinness, a consultant doctor involved in the woman’s treatment said that the woman does not realise how ill she is, and lacks the capacity to make any decision regarding treatment.
The doctor said that the woman’s BMI was one of the lowest he has seen. The consultant said that the woman has no energy, can barely raise her arms or sit up.
When he spoke to her about her condition the woman said that maybe she was “a little gaunt”. The orders were granted, on an ex-parte basis, by Mr Justice Max Barrett.
The Judge said he “hoped she gets better soon”.
The judge was also satisfied to appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the woman’s interests.
The judge adjourned the matter to a date in October.