Sick pensioner wants to leave nursing home and move to Canada

A Court of Protection judge is deciding whether the 89-year old woman can spend the rest of her days with her sister.

A judge has been asked to decide whether a sick 89-year old woman can leave a nursing home in England and move to Canada.

The pensioner, who has a number of physical and mental health problems, wants to spend the rest of her days with her sister.

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Mrs Justice Roberts is considering the case at hearings in the specialist Court of Protection, where issues relating to people who may lack the mental capacity to make decisions are considered, in London.

She is analysing arguments from council social services bosses, who have responsibility for the pensioner's care, and from lawyers representing the pensioner.

The pensioner's sister, a retired nurse, has given evidence over the telephone from her home in Canada.

She says she can care for the pensioner and is in favour of the move.

Mrs Justice Roberts said, at the latest hearing on Monday, that she wanted to make the pensioner's wishes come true and would leave "no judicial stone unturned".

The judge said a doctor must assess the pensioner and decide if she was fit enough to make the journey.

A further hearing is expected to take place soon.

She says the pensioner cannot be named in media reports of the case.