3 in 4 doctors say not all ill babies should be saved

NEARLY 75% of Irish doctors do not believe everything possible should be done to save the life of a seriously ill newborn baby — if their long-term health is likely to be bleak.

The study shows Irish doctors and nurses question the quality of life a severely intellectually disabled child can have. They hold out more hope for the quality of a life of a severely physically disabled child.

Disability support groups have reacted with horror to the survey, saying no doctor has the right to “play God”.