Indi Gregory's parents lose another appeal to continue life support treatment

Dean Gregory (left) , father to Indi Gregor, outside the High Court in September. Nottingham QMC (right) where Indi Gregory currently receives treatment
Author: Ella BicknellPublished 2nd Nov 2023
Last updated 2nd Nov 2023

The family of a critically-ill baby, from Derbyshire, have lost another round of a life-support treatment fight.

A High Court judge ruled that Indi Gregory cannot be transferred to a hospital in Rome.

The 8-month-old, from Ilkeston, suffers from a rare mitochondrial disease, which doctors say saps her of energy.

Medics at Nottingham Queen's Medical Centre argued she was in pain and ongoing treatment would be "futile".

Last month, the High Court ruled that doctors could lawfully limit her treatment.

Last month, Indi's parents, Dean Gregory and Claire Staniforth, failed to persuade Court of Appeal judges in London, and judges at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, France, to overturn that decision.

Lawyers representing Indi's parents asked Mr Justice Peel earlier this week to allow her to be moved to Italy, after a hospital in Rome offered treatment.

The judge was told that the Bambino Gesu Paediatric Hospital in Rome has agreed to accept the little girl.

On Thursday the judge dismissed their application.

"I am satisfied that the proposal for a transfer to Rome would not be in (Indi's) best interests," he said in his ruling.

"In my judgment, there is no material change of circumstances, or other compelling reason, to justify reconsideration of my original order. The application is dismissed."

Indi's parents are being supported by campaign group the Christian Legal Centre.

A spokesman for the centre said they aim to appeal.

Lawyers representing Indi's parents said there has been a "material" change of circumstances since the judge ruled that doctors could limit treatment, and said Indi has a chance of a "longer life".

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Greatest Hits Radio app.