High Court says Archie Battersbee cannot be sent to a hospice to die

Tue, 21-Oct-2025

Download App

High Court says Archie Battersbee cannot be sent to a hospice to die

Web Desk
August 5, 2022

High Court says Archie Battersbee cannot be sent to a hospice to die

Hollie Dance wanted her brain-damaged son to “spend his last moments” with family.
High Court denied her request for Archie to be moved to a hospice.
Ms Dance said she feels “sick” and plans to appeal the “outrageous” decision.

The High Court denied Archie Battersbee’s family’s request to move him to a hospice.

Hollie Dance wanted her brain-damaged son to “spend his last moments” with family, but the High Court ruled against her.

The judge denied the family’s request to appeal her ruling.

Mrs. Justice Theis stayed the withdrawal of treatment until 2pm on Friday to allow Archie’s family time to appeal to the Court of Appeal.

Ms Dance said she feels “sick” and plans to appeal the “outrageous” decision.

Dance said later: “Authorities denied our family’s wishes. We’re broken, but we won’t give up on Archie.”

The family’s lawyers first bid for Archie to be moved to a hospice in a late-night High Court hearing on Thursday. This was the culmination of several legal challenges to ensure the boy’s life-sustaining treatment continues.

The judge agreed with medical experts that the risks were “major and unpredictable.” Archie’s situation was described as “complicated and difficult.”

Archie’s parents knew the risks of the hospice transfer, including Archie dying in transit, but they were willing to take them rather than stay in the hospital.

A court-appointed guardian for Archie was concerned about moving him to a hospice, but she supported the idea if the risks were manageable and there was a short delay.

“Archie’s best interests must remain at the core of any conclusions reached by this court,” said Justice Theis as she concluded he should remain at the hospital while his treatment is withdrawn.