Epilepsy: New Treatments

Debate between Lord Howarth of Newport and Baroness Jolly

Monday 2nd February 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Howarth of Newport (Lab)]

My Lords, if there is evidence that cannabidiol, and indeed cannabis itself, is efficacious in relation to epilepsy and other conditions, should not the Government accelerate the evaluation that the noble Lord, Lord Patel, has just called for?

[Baroness Jolly]

I am certainly not including cannabis in this but cannabidiol is being trialled in two places—Edinburgh and Great Ormond Street—with a view to moving it through to NICE as soon as the evidence is there and then on to treatment if that is deemed sensible.

General Practitioners: Hippocratic Oath

Debate between Lord Howarth of Newport and Baroness Jolly

Thursday 11th December 2014 Lords Chamber

[Lord Howarth of Newport (Lab)]

My Lords, does the noble Baroness acknowledge that many general practitioners and other medical professionals have sworn the Hippocratic oath and regard it as a very serious statement of principle? Does she acknowledge the view widely held among medical professionals that to perform the role assigned to them in the Assisted Dying Bill would not be consistent with the principles of the Hippocratic oath?

[Baroness Jolly]

That is an interesting point. The Government believe that any legal change should be made by Parliament rather than by government. However, doctors may choose to opt out of providing a medical procedure if it conflicts with their personal beliefs or values. The Assisted Dying Bill makes provision for a person not to participate in anything authorised by the legislation to which they hold a conscientious objection.