Closed petition: Review children's critical care decision law

Closed on 17 October 2025

We urge the Government to review laws around critical care decisions to ensure parents are central in decision-making for critically ill children. We want NHS bodies to be required to consult parents as equals, be required to get a second opinion from an agreed upon specialist and offer mediation.

We also want NHS bodies to fund legal parental representation in court cases and allow children’s transfer to other hospitals in the UK and outside. We believe that parents can be side-lined, shut out of critical care decisions, or enter agonising legal battles. We feel that the NHS and Cafcass sometimes give little weight to parent’s views. Instead of collaboration, families may face emotional & financial stress. We believe no parent should be excluded from their child’s care and that the Government must ensure a system that respects parent’s rights.