Ananova:

A 15-year-old Jehovah's Witness should have a blood transfusion if necessary during a kidney transplant operation despite it being against her wishes and beliefs, a High Court judge has ruled.

A Northern Ireland health and social services trust went to the High Court in Belfast seeking a ruling on whether it was illegal for doctors to give the blood transfusion during the operation should it become necessary.

The girl, identified only as 'C', and her father want the operation to go ahead but have refused to give consent for a transfusion to take place. The girl's mother does consent to the procedure, with transfusion if necessary.

Health authorities wanted the judge to rule on whether it was lawful for the medical team to carry out the operation without the girl's or her father's consent. Mr Justice Higgins ruled that it was lawful and in the girl's best interests.

He said the girl, her family and congregation were content to leave the decision to the court and had agreed that they would abide by his ruling. He said that was a "very responsible position" for them to have adopted.

Mr Justice Higgins said it was accepted by all parties that, from a medical point of view, it was overwhelmingly in the best interests of 'C's physical well being to undergo the surgical procedure and receive the new kidney.

He said: "It is regarded as unlikely that a blood transfusion of blood or blood products will be required, but that cannot be determinative. The possibility remains that in view of the nature of the surgery involved it may become necessary to preserve life."