High Court orders woman with flies and maggots in a wound to be taken to hospital

The High Court heard two psychiatrists who met here said she was unable to weigh up the consequences of her decision and she appeared to be suffering from "senile squalor" or "frontal lobe syndrome" which is where a person lacks insight into gross self neglect.

A woman in her 70s who does not have the mental capacity to weigh up the seriousness of a foot wound which is so infected that flies and maggots can be seen in it is to be removed from her home and admitted to hospital by order of the High Court.

Doctors say unless she receives urgent medical treatment she is at risk of death from sepsis, the court heard. Part of a slipper on her foot had fused with her skin which was eroded down to the bone and from this wound flies were going in and out and maggots were also seen on the wound, the court also heard.