Oliver Burke, aged 44, suffers from cerebellar ataxia, a degenerative brain illness which follows a similar course to multiple sclerosis. Since diagnosis in 1982, he had gradually lost the use of his legs. He was currently in a wheelchair and his speech and movements were affected. His mental ability however, was not impaired. As his condition worsened, there would come a time when he would need, and clearly wished to have, artificial feeding and hydration (ANH). He sought clarification of the circumstances when ANH may lawfully be withdrawn, contending that the relevant General Medical Council (GMC) guidance 'Withholding and Withdrawing Life Prolonging Treatments: Good Practice in Decision-Making' was incompatible with his rights under Articles 2, 3, 8 and 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
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