31st January 2024

You are a medical SHO on an acute medical unit.

You are a medical SHO on an acute medical unit. You are asked to clerk in a patient who was referred to A&E with a 3-day history of no food or fluid intake, believing themselves to be overweight. She has a BMI of 15, postural hypotension and a heart rate of 40bpm. When you tell her she is to be admitted to the medical ward, she asks to leave. She refuses to have any food orally, and on examination, you see a sandwich and fruit untouched at her bedside. She understands she might die if she does not get medical intervention; however, she wants to return home to study for her exams. You have a trust protocol to follow to commence refeeding using an NG feed.

What is the best legal option in this circumstance?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.