Staff caring for Midrar Ali have been 'psychologically affected'

Medics have been "psychologically affected" as a result of being asked to care for a baby who is at the centre of a legal battle.

A lawyer representing hospital bosses responsible for four-month-old Midrar Ali's care told three Court of Appeal judges that staff had been put in a "very unusual position".

Barrister Neil Davy outlined the effects on staff at St Mary's Hospital in Manchester during the latest round of a life-support treatment fight on Wednesday.

The three appeal judges, Sir Andrew McFarlane, Lord Justice Patten and Lady Justice King, are analysing evidence relating to Midrar at a hearing in London.

A High Court judge has concluded that Midrar is brain stem dead.

Mrs Justice Lieven, who analysed evidence at a trial in the Family Division of the High Court in Manchester, recently ruled that life-support treatment could lawfully end.

Midrar's parents, Karwan Ali and Shokhan Namiq, who live in Manchester, say treatment should continue and want appeal judges to overturn Mrs Justice Lieven's ruling.

They say Midrar is still growing and say doctors cannot be sure that his condition will not improve.

Mrs Justice Lieven heard that Midrar had been starved of oxygen due to complications at birth and had been placed on a ventilator.

Hospital bosses asked the judge to rule that ventilation could lawfully be withdrawn.

Lawyers representing the hospital's governing trust, the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, said three tests by specialists had confirmed brain stem death.

Mrs Justice Lieven said she had "no doubt" that Midrar was brain stem dead.

She said the medical evidence was clear and consistent.

Mr Davy, who is leading the trust's legal team, told appeal judges on Wednesday how specialists had concluded that Midrar was brain stem dead in October.

He said staff continued to care for him because legal proceedings had yet to end.

"Staff have been psychologically affected by having to maintain care for Midrar when death has been confirmed," he said.

"The staff, who are obviously very used to dealing with sick babies, have been put in a very unusual position and that has had psychological effects."

He added: "These are intensive care units, intensive care beds, and they are always in demand."

The appeal hearing continues.