A critically ill 22-year-old will not receive life-sustaining treatment if his condition significantly deteriorates after his family reached an agreement with Croydon University Hospital in court.

Father-of-two Marcus Campbell, who has been in a coma in the hospital's intensive care unit for the past month, is to continue to receive care to keep him alive but will not be resuscitated if his heart stability and rare brain stem inflammation both worsen. 

His family and friends staged emotional protests outside the hospital last month, accusing doctors of "giving up" on Mr Campbell, of Thornton Heath, after being told he would not be saved if his heart stopped or treated for infections.

But at a hearing yesterday at the Court of Protection, which rules on the welfare of people without the mental capacity to make decisions, his mother Sandra Palmer and Croydon Health Services NHS Trust reached an agreement on his treatment, based on a review carried out by two independent experts. 

An order made by Mr Justice Newton, sitting at the Royal Courts of Justice, said it would not be in Mr Campbell's interests for him to receive compressive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or dialysis.

It added: "It is not in the first respondent’s best interests to receive life-sustaining treatment in the event of a progression of the neurological condition that is heralded by a significant cardiovascular instability evolving over a 24-hour period."

But the order, the wording of which was agreed by the trust and the family, will ensure Mr Campbell receives nursing and personal care, including antibiotics, artificial nutrition and hydration, mechanical ventilation and treatment for infections.

The trust has also agreed to actively seek an alternative hospital for Mr Campbell, whose family say they no longer trust Croydon University Hospital. 

Annabel Lee, the family's barrister, told the court: "Their first priority in this is to find an alternative placement. My client has no confidence whatsoever in the hospital." 

Katie Gollop, representing the NHS trust, said it had enquired about moving Mr Campbell to another hospital but could not find one willing and able to take him. But she added the trust would support the family's attempts to move him.

Siobhan Chin, Mr Campbell's sister, said the family were speaking to three hospitals that could potentially receive him.

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Marcus Campbell has two young daughters

Mr Justice Newton approved of the order agreed between the two parties. He said: "It is a situation which is impossible to comprehend. I have a lot of sympathy for the family, who have to be struggling with this on a daily basis.

"It seems to be that this is the right approach. I cannot engender trust that is not there, but I hope this is a new start."

Speaking after the order was agreed, Miss Chin, 29, said: "I don't think we had much of a choice. If there is any level of trust it's because of the independent experts. They seem to be just.

"We know the worst could still happen but we are just trying to keep going. Hopefully Marcus can be moved soon."

A spokesman for Croydon Health Services NHS Trust said: "At all times since his admission to Croydon University Hospital, our doctors and nurses have given Marcus constant care and we will of course continue to act in his best interests.

"We have agreed Marcus’s ongoing care, and the judge gave credit to Marcus’ family and the trust for reaching a consensus in such difficult circumstances. 

"This is a very sad and difficult time for Marcus’ family.  We will continue to support them as best we can and, in respect of their privacy, we will not comment any further on Marcus’ care."