Critically-ill baby to have 'life-support ended' despite Italy's treatment offer

08 November 2023 , 17:47

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Indi Gregory was previously granted a move to Rome for treatment (Image: PA)

Critically-ill baby Indi Gregory will have her life-support removed from 2pm tomorrow (November 9) at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham or a hospice, a judge has ruled.

Mr Justice Robert Peel’s decision comes despite the Italian government dramatically granting Indi citizenship with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni vowing to do what she could to "defend" Indi's life. Parents Dean Gregory and Claire Staniforth have been caught in a lengthy legal battle over their daughter’s health.

The eight-month-old has incurable mitochondrial disease - a condition that stops her cells' mitochondria from producing enough energy. Specialists say she is dying and bosses at her hospital asked for a ruling that doctors could lawfully limit treatment. Medics say the treatment Indi receives causes pain and is futile and that all options have been exhausted - but Dean and Claire disagree.

They say they will now appeal the ruling with the support of the Christian Legal Centre. Father Dean said in the lead up to the ruling, NHS bosses had reportedly threatened to remove life-support without family members present. Dean who was not at the hospital at the time of the alleged threat, said he felt like he was going to have a heart attack when he was informed.

He added: "I have had to face repeated threats from the hospital trying to intimidate me and speed up Indi's death, even when there are outstanding court orders in place. There does not appear to be any care or compassion, only cruelty towards us as a family.

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"For the hospital and the UK Courts to simply ignore the offer from the Italian government is disgraceful. I appeal to the British government to allow Indi to come to Italy before it is too late. As a father I have never asked or begged for anything in my life, but I am now begging the British government to please help prevent our daughter's life from being taken away.”

Medical Director at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Dr Keith Girling said: “This is an incredibly challenging time for Indi and her family and our thoughts are with them today. Following today’s High Court decision, our priority will remain to provide Indi specialised care appropriate to her condition and in line with the direction of the court, supporting her family in every way possible.”

Jake Loader