A SON and daughter have launched a legal battle to keep their poorly dad alive. Leon Scoble, 27, and his sister Danni, 29, say Basildon Hospital put a “do not resuscitate” order in stroke victim Paul Scoble, 48, three weeks ago – without consulting them.

They claim a doctor told them their dad could end up disabled if they attempted to resuscitate him. Leon said: “They didn’t even ask him his opinion on whether he wanted to die. They just read his notes and assumed. My father cared for his disabled brother when he was a child, so it is grossly unfair that he should be considered to have less of a right to life because he might be disabled.

“It’s disgusting the way they have treated a 48-year old man with so much life ahead of him. We will never give up the fight for him to live.”

Mr Scoble was admitted to Basildon Hospital in August after a stroke, but is now conscious and communicating, according to his children. One doctor said Mr Scoble would never walk again, but a few days later he was moving his knees and feet.

Daughter Danni, 29, added: “The whole time that we’ve been there we have constantly felt like they’re fighting for him to die, and we are fighting for him to live.

“How is that right with the NHS? It is unbelievable – it’s like I’m going to go to sleep and wake up from this nightmare, but every day I’m living it.”

The family from Harlow has set up a Lifeline for Paul Facebook page, which has attracted more than 900 supporters already.

A fundraising campaign has also been launched, with the family hoping to raise cash for a private ambulance to send Mr Scoble to another hospital, in the hope new treatment options will be considered.

A spokesman for Basildon Hospital said it was not able to discuss the medical details of Mr Scoble’s case as it would breach confidentiality.

He added: “This is a very sad and difficult time for Mr Scoble’s family and we are focusing on providing the best possible care for him and support for them. Some of the observations and opinions of senior clinicians involved in Mr Scoble’s treatment dffer from those of his fmily. We are monitoring his condition by the hour and senior doctors will continue to discuss his care and treatment with his family.”