A doctor has told a High Court judge a baby at the centre of a life-support treatment case was “dying” and keeping her on a ventilator would “prolong matters”.
Seven-month-old Indi Gregory, who is being treated in Nottingham, has a mitochondrial disease, a genetic condition that saps energy from the body’s cells.
A specialist said staff treating Indi at the Queen’s Medical Centre had done the best they could and were “very sad”.
Hospital bosses want Mr Justice Peel to rule that doctors can lawfully limit treatment provided to Indi.
Indi’s parents Dean Gregory and Claire Staniforth, who are both in their 30s and from Ilkeston, Derbyshire, want treatment to continue.
Mr Justice Peel is considering evidence at a private trial in the Family Division of the High Court in London.
The doctor, who cannot be named in media reports, told Mr Justice Peel on Monday: “We feel very sad.
“She is a little girl we have tried to treat to the best of our abilities.
“The terrible reality is that she is dying.”
The doctor said “further ventilation” would “prolong matters”.
Bosses at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who have responsibility for Indi’s care, have asked the judge to make decisions.
Barrister Emma Sutton KC, who is leading the trust’s legal team, has told the judge Indi is “critically” ill.
Mr Justice Peel is considering evidence behind closed doors, but has allowed journalists to attend the hearing and ruled that Indi, her parents, and the hospital can be named in reports.
He ruled that medics treating Indi – and a guardian appointed to represent her interests – could not be named.
