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Family of Christian woman condemn life support removal

by Lydia Davies
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Christian Concern

The family of a Christian woman whose life support was removed despite their objections has condemned the decision, calling it a violation of her religious convictions and right to life.

They argue that her faith and wishes were ignored by the court ruling that led to her death, The Christian Post reports.

Hyacinth McIntosh, 54, was taken off life support and denied hydration, contrary to her expressed beliefs, according to UK-based advocacy group Christian Concern.

A Court of Protection ruling in November 2024 authorised the removal of McIntosh’s ventilator, feeding tube, and hydration.

She passed away on 25th December 2024.

Legal documents reveal that McIntosh had been in a coma since May following a heart attack that caused severe brain damage.

According to The Telegraph, McIntosh had made clear her belief that life should be preserved, leaving its ultimate outcome in God’s hands.

“How my mother died was beyond cruelty,” said Shanika Davis, McIntosh’s daughter. “There was no dignity or respect, and we refuse to believe it was in her ‘best interests’ to die.”

Davis further criticised the hospital and the courts for disregarding her mother’s right to life and the family’s wishes.

McIntosh had been sustained by artificial ventilation and nasogastric feeding until 14th December, when these measures were removed under court orders, despite the family’s attempts to challenge the decision.

Although physicians predicted she would not survive more than a few days without life support, McIntosh reportedly continued to breathe independently for 11 days before her death.

Davis noted that her mother’s oxygen saturation remained between 95 per cent and 100 per cent, which she believes demonstrated her resilience.

“Doctors and judges condemned her to a cruel death from dehydration,” she said, explaining that the family was unable to explore alternative care options due to court-imposed reporting restrictions.

The King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which carried out the removal of life support, defended its actions.

A spokesperson stated that continuing treatment was not in McIntosh’s best interests.

The family received support from Professor Sam Ahmedzai, a retired palliative care physician and contributor to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines on end-of-life care.

In evidence submitted to the court, Ahmedzai described the denial of hydration as “cruel, inhuman, and degrading".

“There is no justification for withdrawing nasogastric hydration and feeding in such a case,” Ahmedzai argued, adding that removing the NG tube after ventilation withdrawal was “unnecessary and unusually cruel".

He also criticised ongoing practices in some healthcare settings reminiscent of the abolished Liverpool Care Pathway, which involved withholding hydration from dying patients.

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, expressed concern about the implications of McIntosh’s case. “This story raises the specter of how vulnerable patients and families will be treated under any ‘assisted dying’ legislation. Good law protects life, does not blur boundaries, and should never promote death,” she said.

McIntosh’s family is advocating for dehydration to be listed as her immediate cause of death, but they have been informed it will not appear on her death certificate.

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