Medical Innovation Bill [HL]

Baroness Morris of Bolton Excerpts

Friday 12th December 2014 Lords Chamber

[Lord Turnberg]

Perhaps I may detain the House for a short moment to respond to the noble Baroness, Lady O’Neill, the noble Lord, Lord Saatchi, and the Minister about the difference between “obtaining the views of” and “obtaining the support of”. I am happy with Amendment 7, which suggests that the views of the doctors, patients and so on are recorded. However, any doctor wishing to express a view would want to know as much as he or she possibly could about the case before expressing that view. In writing in the notes the views of others from whom opinions have been sought, presumably the names of those people will appear. However, the fact that the doctor does not have to accept the views, none of which may support the doctor’s innovating, presumably gets round the issue of whether it is safe. The whole point of getting another view from another doctor in the field is to see whether there is some support for the innovation. A doctor may get three or four views, two of which may be against but one of them, at least, will be supportive.

I am not persuaded by the noble Baroness, Lady Jolly, nor, I am afraid, by the noble Lord, Lord Saatchi, who is in the hands of the lawyers on this issue. It is not a very good argument. I will reflect on what has been said and will withdraw the amendment now but the position is not entirely satisfactory.

[The Deputy Speaker (Baroness Morris of Bolton) (Con)]

My Lords, it might help the House if I said that, as the noble Lord has actually spoken again to Amendment 3, I have to propose it to give everybody else a chance. Now he can withdraw it.

[Lord Turnberg]

Not moved!