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LONDON

In a case that raises a host of healing and ethical issues, the British teenager from a small town northwest of London has won a battle to refuse a heart-transplant agency.

That firmness by British medical authorities has ignited a debate more than whether children should be in possession of the right to rebuff potentially lifesaving medical treatments or whether health magistrates have any obligation to intervene.

Hannah, from Marden, 145 miles from London, was diagnosed through leukemia at age 4. Doctors later found a heart flaw. In eight years, she has had chemotherapy and nearly a twelve operations.

“I’ve been in hospital too much

Hannah’s story surfaced when her parents complained about medical officials who threatened to force her into a hospital.

A social worker was then sent to interview the teenager about her refusal to have a heart transplant to treat her cardiomyopathy, a great disease where the inclination muscle becomes swollen and sometimes fails. The social worker backed Hannah’s settlement.

Hospital officials said it is standard practice to serve sure the couple the child and the parents interpret the consequences of any decision.

“Clearly, the welfare of the child is paramount,” said Sally Stucke, a pediatrician with the Herefordshire Primary Care Trust where Hannah was receiving method of treating. “No one can be forced to have a heart transplant.”

In Britain, children younger than 16 aren’t automatically considered legally competent to make decisions about their health care.

According to the Department of Health, whereas a child is considered competent and refuses treatment, his or her decision last will and testament be respected. When a consensus can’t be reached, the patient can be overruled through either parents or guardians, or in more unusual circumstances, by the courts.

Heart transplants are risky operations for any patient. Transplants repeatedly require patients to be on lifelong anti-rejection medication to prevent their body from attacking their new heart. The medicines sometimes be under the necessity side effects making the body more susceptible to dangerous infections.

“I just decided there were too many people risks, and on the same level if I took it in that place might be a ill issue,” Hannah said.

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