Best's Hours Are Numbered, Says Doctor
Final hours: George Best remains in intensive care but there is no hope for his recovery
Football legend George Best is losing his battle for life, his doctor says.
Professor Roger Williams said: "I am afraid Mr Best is coming to the end of the long road of his ill-health.''
Speaking outside London's Cromwell Hospital, he told reporters: "He is still alive, he is still having standard medical care and treatment, but I have to tell you that his hours are numbered now and it's all very upsetting for all of us who look after Mr Best.''
Prof Williams added: "I can't be precise as to time, but it is the final stages of this illness and I am afraid he could die at any time over the next 24 hours.
"I would be very surprised if he survives another 24 hours.''
Best is being treated in the intensive care unit at the private hospital after he suffered a lung infection.
Overnight his condition deteriorated and Prof Williams said there was no longer anything doctors could do.
Clearly upset, Prof Williams, who has been overseeing Best's treatment, said: "The situation is that, medically, the intensive care team and everybody concerned have managed to cope with pretty well all the complications except the one that's happened again during the night, which you know about, this bleeding, which, though it has been replaced, is now affecting the lungs and other parts.
"There is really no return from that situation. It's just not possible to recover from that episode he had during the night and he is now facing.''
The former Manchester United and Northern Ireland star had a controversial liver transplant in 2002 after his existing liver failed following years of alcohol abuse.
Best, who ignored pleas to stay off the booze after the operation, was admitted to the Cromwell on October 1 suffering from a flu-like infection.
His health deteriorated rapidly when he developed a kidney infection, but he then rallied and his condition was thought to be improving until the early hours of last Friday, when he suffered a severe setback.
He developed a lung infection and was put back on a ventilator in intensive care but remained alert.
However, his condition worsened again on Tuesday night.
Best's son, Calum, 24, his father, Dickie, 87, and other family members are at his bedside.
Prof Williams said: "I think they accept what is going to happen.''
AOL News.
Final hours: George Best remains in intensive care but there is no hope for his recovery
Football legend George Best is losing his battle for life, his doctor says.
Professor Roger Williams said: "I am afraid Mr Best is coming to the end of the long road of his ill-health.''
Speaking outside London's Cromwell Hospital, he told reporters: "He is still alive, he is still having standard medical care and treatment, but I have to tell you that his hours are numbered now and it's all very upsetting for all of us who look after Mr Best.''
Prof Williams added: "I can't be precise as to time, but it is the final stages of this illness and I am afraid he could die at any time over the next 24 hours.
"I would be very surprised if he survives another 24 hours.''
Best is being treated in the intensive care unit at the private hospital after he suffered a lung infection.
Overnight his condition deteriorated and Prof Williams said there was no longer anything doctors could do.
Clearly upset, Prof Williams, who has been overseeing Best's treatment, said: "The situation is that, medically, the intensive care team and everybody concerned have managed to cope with pretty well all the complications except the one that's happened again during the night, which you know about, this bleeding, which, though it has been replaced, is now affecting the lungs and other parts.
"There is really no return from that situation. It's just not possible to recover from that episode he had during the night and he is now facing.''
The former Manchester United and Northern Ireland star had a controversial liver transplant in 2002 after his existing liver failed following years of alcohol abuse.
Best, who ignored pleas to stay off the booze after the operation, was admitted to the Cromwell on October 1 suffering from a flu-like infection.
His health deteriorated rapidly when he developed a kidney infection, but he then rallied and his condition was thought to be improving until the early hours of last Friday, when he suffered a severe setback.
He developed a lung infection and was put back on a ventilator in intensive care but remained alert.
However, his condition worsened again on Tuesday night.
Best's son, Calum, 24, his father, Dickie, 87, and other family members are at his bedside.
Prof Williams said: "I think they accept what is going to happen.''
AOL News.