Mr West said a full court hearing will look at his grandmother's case

A High Court judge said on Monday that Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital should continue to treat the 91-year-old until a full court hearing could be arranged to examine her case.

Chris West, 32, asked the High Court to order the hospital to administer treatment which would stop his grandmother, Olive Nockels, of Holt, Norfolk, from dying.

Mr West, who lives in Norwich, claimed staff at the hospital in the city were not doing enough to prevent the former school matron from dehydrating and dying of kidney failure.

Suspected stroke

A spokesman for the hospital confirmed the matter was being considered by the High Court in London, but said it could not comment on the patient because of confidentiality rules.

A statement from the hospital added: "Our concern has at all times been for the well-being of the patient and we have discussed her treatment and prognosis with the family every step of the way."

However, a hospital source said doctors disputed Mr West's claim and said Mrs Nockels had been given the best treatment available.

Mr West said: "My understanding is that the judge has ordered that my grandmother must be treated until there has been a fuller hearing in court."

He added: "It seems to me that they feel that the best thing would be for her to be allowed to die and I don't think that's right.

"What we are seeking initially is for the judge to order them to reinstate hydration. What we are most afraid of is that her kidneys will fail and she will die as a result."

Mrs Nockels was taken to hospital five weeks ago after a fall.