A MAN in Barnsley Hospital who did not want to live with a stoma has died - just days after a judge ruled he had the right to refuse life-saving treatment.

The 34-year-old man, who is unable to be identified following a ruling from the judge, had made it clear that he did not want to live with a permanent stoma - an opening of the abdomen that can be connected to either the digestive or urinary system to allow waste to be diverted out of the body.

Before the man underwent surgery, he made a written statement saying that he would not want to live with a permanent stoma.

His parents told the judge at the Court of Protection they wanted to respect the wishes of their son.

The man was provided with palliative care to ensure that he retained the greatest dignity and that he suffered the least discomfort until his life came to an end.

The man, who had a history of bowel problems, died earlier this week.

Religious support group Christian Concern, which offers help to those facing challenges in their workplace, expressed its displeasure of the decision to let the man die.

Chief executive Andrea Williams said: “This case is nothing short of a tragedy.

“It was clear from the evidence of the case that this was a young man who was struggling to come to grips with his illness, but who was also vulnerable and had a history of self-harming and bipolar disorder.

“For a court of law to decide that a 34-year-old man who asked for a procedure to be done and who would have some level of meaningful recovery would nonetheless be sedated and then deprived of hydration and food until he died is an absolute horror.”

The group is urging the government to set up an urgent public enquiry to review the case.