Judge allows amputation of woman's legs as she lacks mental capacity to decide

A judge has ruled that surgeons can amputate the legs of a 49-year-old woman who lacks the mental capacity to decide for herself.

Mr Justice Mostyn said below-knee amputations were in the woman's best interests after analysing evidence at a public hearing in the Court of Protection.

He said nothing could be reported which might identify the woman - a former farm worker who lives in the east of England.

Bosses at NHS hospitals trust with responsibility for the woman's care had asked the judge to approve amputations under the terms of mental capacity legislation.

Specialists outlined a range of complex medical problems and said the woman was largely bed-ridden.

They said parts of her feet had already been amputated.

The judge was told that, if her legs were not amputated, infection would almost certainly set in and she could die.

Doctors also said she would have a better chance of regaining movement if fitted with artificial limbs.

Mr Justice Mostyn said he was satisfied, on the basis of medical evidence, that the woman had an impairment of the mind and lacked the mental capacity to make decisions about surgery.

And he said he had no doubt that amputations were in her best interests.

Her mother had agreed that she did not have the capacity to make decisions and should have surgery.

A lawyer appointed to represent the woman also approved doctors' plans and analysis of her mental capacity.