The Bill would just confuse matters. The alternative approach outlined in the Bill would create uncertainty and undermine the mechanisms already in place to safeguard patients. Could this not lead to doctors being absolved from any liability for an experimental treatment if they follow the Bill’s standards, making it much harder for patients to redress malpractice? Sir Robert Francis QC has said it would
“deprive patients of remedies when mistreated by those who have no acceptable justification for what they have done.”
In conclusion, we are faced with deep and broad concerns, as expressed by patient groups, medical research charities and royal colleges, and I do not think we can ignore those voices. They include Action against Medical Accidents, which says the Bill is a threat to patient safety; the Association of Medical Research Charities, which says it
“may adversely impact on patients and medical research”;
and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, the president of which simply says the Bill endangers the safety of infants and children. It would be irresponsible to support the Bill, which is why I will be opposing it, and I encourage other hon. Members to join me.
10.45 am