In a high profile case that was reported nationally and internationally the family of Mrs G agreed a settlement of £45,000 for Mrs G’s suffering.
Mrs G had completed an advance directive confirming that she did not wish to receive treatment if she suffered several specific medial conditions, including a severe stroke. The directive was filed with the hospital and added to her notes. Some years later Mrs G suffered such a stroke and was unable to effectively communicate. She received medical treatment to keep her alive (include surgery to feed her through a PEG) for a period of 22 months before the original advance directive was discovered in her records. Following discussions with her family at that time, Mrs G was allowed to die around one week later. The level of damages reflects the aggravated nature of the treatment of Mrs G and the imposition on her human rights.