However, SOFA alone does not provide sufficient complementary information about the possible need to withdraw treatment, in particular when referring to the withdrawal of life support.
"They were very supportive of her and her decision to withdraw treatment.
Medics are allowed to withdraw treatment and fluids from patients at the very end of their lives.
The judge agreed that it was not in Briggs's best interests for treatment to continue, and that it was lawful to withdraw treatment.
Doctors have scanned her head, established that there is an unsurvivable brain injury, and concluded that it would be in her best interests to withdraw treatment.
UK Under current law, doctors and parents can withdraw treatment if they feel it is in the best interests of the baby.
This time the court allowed medics to withdraw treatment after Mrs N's daughter argued that her mother had no quality of life as she would have perceived it.
The Department of Health had calculated in 2001 that to withdraw treatment from any patient with HIV would result in them becoming chronically ill, infecting others and being admitted to hospital as an emergency, costing the NHS up to £1m.
The appellate court found, however, that it was lawful to withdraw treatment from a patient when that treatment was futile, that is doing him no good, and that therefore artificial nutrition and hydration might lawfully be withdrawn.
WhWd withhold or withdraw treatment, Wd withdraw treatment.
SOFA sequential organ failure assessment, WhWd withhold or withdraw treatment, QOL quality of life.
