Judge tells doctors to save girl who is refusing to eat or drink

Doctors were told by a High Court judge they could administer lifesaving treatment to a teenage girl who is refusing to eat any food or drink any fluids.

Mr Justice Michael White was told by a consultant doctor treating the girl that she was at risk of death due to her refusal to eat or drink anything.

Judge White, in granting court orders directing intervention in the girl’s treatment, described the situation as “very tragic”. He also made orders precluding the media reporting any detail that would tend to identify the girl.