Doctor defers decision on divisive end-of-life case

The French doctor, Daniela Simon, due to decide the fate of a tetraplegic patient in a vegetative state has unexpectedly turned the case over to the state, saying disputes between rival factions of his family – one of which has Catholic church support – made a calm decision about ending or continuing his treatment impossible, writes Tom Heneghan.

The case of Vincent Lambert, in a coma since a motorcycle accident six years ago, has been a major bioethical dispute in France, pitting his parents and Catholic supporters arguing for continued care against his wife and several siblings.

Nine bishops of the Rhone-Alpes region, where Lambert’s parents live, spoke out for him. “Our brother Vincent is not at the end of his life,” wrote the bishops, including Cardinal Philippe Barbarin of Lyon. Lambert’s parents welcomed the doctor’s decision while his wife Rachel said pressure groups were “terrorising the hospital”.