The life support for 12-year-old Archie is scheduled to be switched off on Thursday at 11 a.m., marking the end of a heartbreaking battle to save him. His family had appealed to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to delay the decision, but their plea was rejected as the court refused to overturn previous rulings by UK national courts.
Archie was found unconscious at his home in Southend-on-Sea on April 7. His mother believes he was participating in a dangerous online challenge at the time. Since then, he has been receiving treatment at the Royal London Hospital, which is part of the Barts NHS Health Trust.
Medical professionals have stated that Archie is “highly likely” brain-stem dead and has no chance of recovery. A High Court judge described continued treatment as “futile.” The hospital confirmed that no changes in his care would take place while legal proceedings were ongoing.
Archie’s mother, Hollie Dance, has expressed her hope for treatment abroad, saying, “There are other countries that want to take Archie and treat him. Other countries are very supportive and want him to be treated. They have a high success rate, and I don’t see the harm. If they can offer even a glimmer of hope…”
Hollie questioned why Archie must die in the UK when options for treatment exist overseas. She said, “Why is it so black and white? He has to die in this country because this country will no longer treat him? Other countries want to treat him, and I believe he should be allowed to go.” She mentioned Tokyo and Italy as possible locations for his care.
Relations between Archie’s family and the hospital have become strained as hope for recovery fades. The family requested that if life support ends, Archie should be moved to a hospice. Hollie expressed a preference for him to be in a peaceful environment surrounded by “squirrels and wildlife running around,” but noted this would be a “worst case scenario.”
Doctors have ruled that transferring Archie is not feasible due to the complexity of his condition. Despite tensions, Hollie praised the nurses caring for her son but admitted that relations with the hospital have “completely broken down.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
