Power of attorney removed from CJD sufferer's brother

Power of attorney has been revoked by order of a judge in the case of a Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) sufferer whose brother had assumed the role.

The Daily Telegraph reports the man - who was given two months to live when diagnosed with the disease more than two years ago - has had his treatment cancelled by the Scottish hospital responsible.

Using power of attorney can be helpful in cases where an individual is of impaired mental facility, allowing a trusted individual to make crucial decisions.

A living will may also be drawn up when people fear they may lose decision-making capabilities in the future, giving them control over their own medical treatment for the whole of their life.

In this case, a judge ordered the bother should be replaced due to “lack of objectivity”, ruling a "dispassionate" civil servant be engaged instead.

Hospital representatives claim it would be irresponsible to continue treatment, as no clinical trials have been carried out.

Published by Phil Hammond