Bid to ‘wake up’ woman against family’s will

A WOMAN in a vegetative state will be given a test drug which may “wake her up”, despite objections from her family who have been overruled by a court.

The 53-year-old, who has not been named, will be given Zolpidem, which could make her conscious, but might leave her seriously disabled.

Her family do not want the test to go ahead, preferring to let her die.

But Mark Potter, president of the family division of the High Court, ruled against their wishes earlier this month.

The drug proposal was put forward by Laurence Oates, the outgoing Official Solicitor, who suggested that Zolpidem — a sleeping pill — be prescribed.

It is normally used to help insomnia but has been cited in a number of cases where it has caused patients in a permanent vegetative state (PVS) to wake up.

A spokesman for the Department for Constitutional Affairs said: “It is a very difficult situation.

“The Official Solicitor, who represents the woman, came to a view that was opposite to the family.”

The DCA spokesman said the family may be able to bring the case to court after the test to try to prevent any further drug administration.