I don't think the parents should have total overriding say in what happens to the child. They have a big say, but not the final say.
Ultimately, someone should say that if they don't want treatment to be withheld that they have to pay for it.
I think the parents are in denial and not thinking about what is best for the child but instead what is best for them.
I think, that it being Britain, the taxpayers are footing the bill. Which brings up the uglier side of socialized medicine... how generous ARE the taxpayers, really?
Of course, if this was the US, I guess sheer economics would have made the horrible choice already, so it's not like we are any great shakes in that department. Terrible all around, I pray for the families.
It isn't an issue. We have a national heath system which is a safety net for anyone, no matter what their income. Surely it is the job of a wealthy western nation to care for the least fortunate in it's society? To not do so would be uncivilised.
The UK goes too far though because it's an ideology. They actively work to prevent people being able to instead pay for their own private medical care.