'Serious judgement lapse' in Schumacher's care

A former chief doctor of Formula 1 says he has been told of "serious lapses of judgement" in the care of Michael Schumacher, and warned fans to prepare themselves "for the worst" as attempts continue to wake him from a coma.

Dr Gary Harstein, the Formula 1 chief doctor from 2005 to 2012, says the lapses in care "could, and almost certainly did, worsen the outcome in Michael's case".

He revealed the information, which he said came from "usually impeccable sources", in a post on his blog where he said the longer the 45-year-old champion stays in a coma "it becomes less and less likely that (he) will emerge to any significant extent".

For almost two months, doctors have been trying to bring Schumacher out of his coma that was medically-induced after he suffered serious brain injuries from hitting his head on a rock in a horrific ski accident at a French resort in December.

Dr Harstein's comments come amid reports Schumacher has wasted away to nearly 55kg.

"This is entirely possible and, in fact, probable," Dr Harstein wrote in his blog.

"As time goes on it becomes less and less likely that Michael will emerge to any significant extent."

Dr Harstein said he had worried about what was going to happen "when and if really bad news got announced".

"I've realised that perhaps the lack of status updates has given us all a chance to move on a bit, to process what's happening, and to start to ... detach."

He said that if a patient didn't regain consciousness within a year most doctors considered the vegetative state permanent.

A spokeswoman for Schumacher has said his waking-up phase continues and that it will "take as long as it takes".

Source: The Mirror.