Mum overjoyed at 'life and death' court win for son

The family's lawyer said Jordan Tooke was expected to die "in only a few months" without dialysis

A court has decided a man with severe learning disabilities and end-stage kidney disease should be given dialysis.

Doctors said Jordan Tooke, 29, from Norwich, would need to be sedated for the treatment three times a week, which would be too much of a burden for him.

His family's lawyer said he was expected to die in "only a few weeks" without it.

A judge at the Court of Protection agreed and ruled the case was "truly about life-sustaining treatment".

Dialysis is a procedure that removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys stop working properly.

'Absolutely overjoyed'

Representing the family, Liz Davis from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: "This is a really emotive case which once again brings the issue of provision of medical treatment to autistic people and people with learning disabilities into the spotlight.

"Understandably, all [Mrs Tooke] wants is what any parent would - to be able to provide the best opportunities for their child."

Mr Tooke's mother, Camilla Tooke, 57, said: "It has been a long fight. But getting this outcome, we are absolutely overjoyed."

Her case was heard at the Court of Protection in London, which handles issues relating to people who lack the capacity to make decisions for themselves.

In a ruling, Mr Justice Hayden said: "This case is truly about life-sustaining treatment. We are really considering matters of life and death.

"I think he [Mrs Tooke] is entitled to the opportunity that it [dialysis] presents."

Specialists at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals, Cambridge University Hospitals and Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS trusts are involved in Mr Tooke's care and treatment.

Barrister Katie Gollop, who represented the trusts, told the court: "It is after a great deal of soul-searching and anxious thought that specialists have come to the view that it is not in his best interests to be provided with haemodialysis under sedation."