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DOCTORS
are forbidden from stepping in to save an asylum
seeker on hunger strike - unless he falls
unconscious.
Despite Naseh Ghafor being "close to death" he has
refused treatment fearing doctors will remove the
stitches which clamp his lips together
The 20-year-old Kurd has refused food and drink
since his bid for long-term asylum was rejected.
Charity workers and friends have begged Naseh to
accept medical help but without his agreement,
doctors can presently do nothing.
Dr Jeremy White, Director of Public Health at
Sheffield North PCT, said doctors could only treat
Naseh if he lost consciousness.
"The law is that the doctor who is treating a
patient can step in to help the patient if he isn't
explicitly saying 'no' - for example if a patient is
unconscious after an accident.
"An adult patient of sound mind can refuse treatment
even if he knows that doing so will kill him, but if
Naseh falls unconscious and is unable to say 'no'
then his doctor could treat him.
"However, if a patient writes an advanced directive
stating that if he falls unconscious he still
doesn't want to be treated then the doctor can't
intervene."
But it is believed Naseh has nothing in writing
which would bar doctors from treating him if he fell
unconscious.
He is currently surrounded by friends and charity
workers who visit him at the Refuge Support
Accommodation Unit in Burngreave, Sheffield.
If he did fall unconscious, they could take him to
Accident and Emergency at hospital where the choice
is left to the doctors.
Dr White said: "If a patient hasn't left a written
directive then it would be legal for an A&E doctor
to treat him.
Nearly two weeks ago, Naseh agreed to hospital
treatment but refused to have a blood test. He then
backed out of any form of treatment and had to be
brought back to Burngreave by friends.
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