Archie Battersbee: Family refused permission for hospice move - BBC News
The family's bid for permission to appeal the latest decision is rejected by the Court of Appeal.
Archie Battersbee suffered brain damage in an incident at home on 7 April and has not regained consciousness

The family of 12-year-old Archie Battersbee cannot move him to a hospice for withdrawal of treatment, a High Court judge has ruled.

His family applied for permission after the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) refused a request to delay the withdrawal of life-sustaining support.

Archie's mother had said she wanted him "in a peaceful hospice to say goodbye".

But doctors warned he was too unstable to move by ambulance and it would "hasten premature deterioration".

The family sought permission to appeal against the latest decision, but that bid has been rejected by three justices at the Court of Appeal.

Archie's family said a breakdown in trust meant Archie would not die with peace and dignity in hospital

Christian Concern said that Archie's family had since applied to the ECHR, arguing there was a violation of articles six and eight of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Article six is the right to a fair trial and article eight is the right to respect for private and family life.

But the ECHR said on Friday evening that as the request was regarding transferring Archie to a hospice, it "fell outside" its scope.

Responding to the High Court's hospice ruling earlier, Archie's mum, Hollie Dance, said: "All our wishes as a family have been denied by the authorities.

"We are broken, but we are keeping going, because we love Archie and refuse to give up on him."

Archie was found unconscious at home in Southend, Essex, on 7 April - his mother believes he may have been taking part in an online challenge.

He suffered "catastrophic" brain injuries and doctors think it is "highly likely" he is brain-stem dead.

Life-sustaining support, including mechanical ventilation and drug treatments, has been in place since April.

In her ruling earlier on Friday, Mrs Justice Theis concluded it was not in Archie's best interests to be moved.

She said: "Archie's best interests must remain at the core of any conclusions reached by this court.

"When considering the wishes of the family, why those wishes are held, the facilities at the hospice, what Archie is likely to have wanted... the risks involved in a transfer... and the increasing fragility of his medical condition, I am satisfied... he should remain at the hospital when treatment is withdrawn."

Mrs Justice Theis also noted Archie's family's "unconditional love and dedication", which she said had been a "golden thread that runs through this case".

"I hope now Archie can be afforded the opportunity for him to die in peaceful circumstances, with the family who meant so much to him as he clearly does to them."

On Friday evening, Court of Appeal judges said the judgment from the High Court "deals comprehensively with each of the points raised on behalf of the parents".

They added: "We have reached the clear conclusion that each of her decisions was right for the reasons [Mrs Justice Theis] gave."

This attempt to move Archie to a hospice was always up against large evidential and legal obstacles. Firstly, the law requires the judge to put Archie's best interests first. So any change to his care would have to be for truly exceptional and necessary reasons.

All preceding courts have ruled it is futile to keep Archie alive. Unnecessarily delaying the withdrawal of treatment would, in the eyes of the law, risk the court becoming complicit in denying the boy peace and dignity in his final hours.

The evidence presented by the family did not change that. There was a moving account of why a hospice would be a good environment for them - but there were also clear accounts that it would not be good for Archie. He could die in an ambulance without his family around him.

Archie is found unconscious by his mother after an incident at their home in Essex. He is taken to Southend Hospital. Archie is transferred to The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel where he has been treated ever since. The NHS trust that runs the Royal London starts High Court proceedings by asking for Archie to undergo brain stem testing. Mrs Justice Arbuthnot rules that brain stem testing should be carried out. Two specialists try to administer brain stem function tests, but they are unable to as Archie did not respond to a peripheral nerve stimulation test, a precursor to the brain stem test. A hearing is held to decide if further MRI scans should be conducted. Archie's parents did not consent on the basis that moving Archie could harm him. The court approves further MRI scans, which are carried out on 31 May. A final hearing is held to hear evidence on whether Archie's life-support treatment should continue. The High Court judge rules that Archie is "dead" based on MRI scan results and that treatment could be withdrawn. The family ask the Court of Appeal to reconsider the case. The Court of Appeal says that a new hearing to determine Archie's best interests should take place. A new hearing is held in the High Court with evidence given before Mr Justice Hayden. Mr Justice Hayden rules that life-support treatment should end, saying continuing it is "futile". Three Court of Appeal judges support the High Court ruling that treatment can end. The Supreme Court rules out intervening in the case and supports the Court of Appeal ruling. The family make an application to the United Nations. Archie’s mother and father, Paul Battersbee, outside the Royal London Hospital A UN Committee writes to the UK government asking for a delay in withdrawing treatment while they consider the case. The government asks for an urgent hearing to review the case. The Court of Appeal refuses to postpone withdrawal of treatment until the UN can hear the case. The Supreme Court refuse the family's application for permission to appeal the Court of Appeal ruling. European Court of Human Rights refuses an application from the family to postpone the withdrawal of Archie’s life support. Archie's parents make a legal application to move their son to a hospice for end of life care. A High Court judge rules that Archie cannot be moved to a hospice for withdrawal of treatment. Archie passes away at the Royal London Hospital after treatment is withdrawn in line with court rulings about his best interests. Members of his family are at his bedside.

Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk