Life of elderly dementia sufferer at risk due to refusal to have infected leg removed, court told

The court heard amputation was clearly indicated but the patient had insisted very clearly that he would rather die

The judge said that the case was "problematic" due to the lack of clarity regarding the man's capacity to make any decision about his health. File picture

The President of the High Court has said that medical staff treating an elderly man with dementia who would "rather die" than have his severely infected leg amputated have been placed in an "appalling dilemma".

The remarks were made by High Court President Mr Justice David Barniville on Monday after he ruled that the hospital and medical staff treating the man do not have to amputate the man's leg against his wishes. The judge said that the case was "problematic" due to the lack of clarity regarding the man's capacity to make any decision about his health.