I have had a funny few weeks, full of strange situations such as being stranded with broken cars, dealings with bureaucracy, obscenely long dentists appointments (too much chocolate probably!), and trying to get back into a semblance of order both in terms of the flooded house (that happened way back in June), and the start of a new school year. It would be easy to naval gaze about some of the stuff that life seems to have currently dealt us, but before any amount of self-pity crept in, something arrived to make me realise that there are always much more important matters afoot, and that minor problems may well seem like a luxury to others who are dealing with illness or with loved ones who are seriously ill…
I don’t do politics on here usually (which is probably just as well!) but it’s not every day that you receive an invitation to attend the House of Commons to listen to Maurice Saatchi’s new Proposed Medical Innovation Bill – an invite brought about no doubt by a piece I had written a couple of months back for the lovely Annie, about the loss of my paternal Grandparents to Cancer, and also the loss of my lovely Uncle. Unfortunately, timing issues meant that I couldn’t pop back home to attend in person (which I was sad about as it would have been amazing to see what it’s like inside “Big Ben”, I kind of imagine it all to be a bit “Hogwartish”!) but I was able to attend by the power of social media – and spent an hour and a half listening to, and taking part in the discussion about the proposed Bill itself – which aims to give doctors more clinical freedom.
So when did the idea for the proposed Medical Innovation Bill begin? Probably I might imagine at the moment Novelist Josephine Hart received her Ovarian Cancer diagnosis. Devastated by the archaic treatment that his beloved wife had to then endure (most cancer treatment is around 40 years old – did you know that?), and spurred on by her untimely death two years later, Lord Saatchi vowed to cure cancer. Not by starting a new medical career, but by introducing a Bill that would allow doctors to innovate in their professional capacity when it comes to a patient’s individual needs (no two patients are the same, why should they be given the same treatment?) without fear of litigation. That is not to say that Doctors would ever be given free rein by the way – all decisions would come before a Professional panel and would need prior approval (as they do now!)…. It will just enable doctors to widen the treatment that they can currently try.
We listened to Maurice Saatchi so eloquently describe the loss of his wife, before we heard from Debbie Binner, who rather heartbreakingly lost her daughter Chloe earlier this year at the age of 18 from a rare from of Cancer (it was at this point, my Google Hangout briefly dropped, which was probably just as well as it gave me time to recompose myself). We went on to hear Professor Andy Hall, (Director of The Northern Institute for Cancer Research) describe how some cancers are no longer the death sentences they used to be, and ask that doctors be allowed to advance treatments for other cancers through medical innovation. We also heard from Daniel Greenberg the Barrister who constructed the bill itself. We then heard the various moving stories of those who had been invited to learn about the Bill (some of whom are receiving treatment for cancer). Throughout it all I couldn’t question anything against it, to me it just makes complete sense.
I think it is important to note that I don’t particularly care about the political backgrounds of the parties who have raised and who are supporting this Bill. What I do care about is the fact that if the Medical Innovation Bill was in force when my loved ones were suffering, they might still be here – or we might at least have had more time to spend with them. It is also important to note that this is not just about the treatment of cancer either, it is about the treatment of any and all serious illnesses.
The Medical Innovation Bill was first read in Parliament yesterday by Michael Ellis MP. It will be given a second reading tomorrow at 2.30pm. If you would like to show your support in pushing this through, then please do get in touch with your local MP. You can also use the powers of social media (follow @saatchibill on Twitter), debate, discuss and bring this to people’s attention. Please.
For further reading, please see here: Christine Mosler, Guardian.
Victoria says
Very impressed!!xxx
bavaria says
Thank you! An important thing! :) xxx
Liz Scarff says
What beautiful flowers. Thank you for joining us, writing about your participation in the event, it was wonderful to have you join us all the way from Munich.
Many thanks,
Liz
@LizScarff
@SaatchiBill
bavaria says
Thank you so much for asking me Liz! I look forward to spreading the word further. Best wishes. Emma
Grace says
Fascinating to read about your experience participating in the discussion on this important bill in the House of Commons – so proud of where your blogging is taking you. x
bavaria says
Thanks Mum x
Mum of One says
Such an important bill. Will be keeping fingers crossed for tomorrow
bavaria says
Thank you! :)
A Patchwork Life says
Hope the Bill gets all the support it needs – sounds so eminently sensible, like it could make such a difference. Must have been interesting listening in and joining the discussion. Moving too I’m sure.
Beautiful Lily of the Valley x
bavaria says
Thank you. It was an interesting morning. :) x
kelloggsville says
Part of me feels it all semantics, by the time the government have run the NHS into the ground none of us will be able to afford innovative cancer treatment anyway. The doctors will be able to offer it and we won’t be able to pay for it. Who is going after the pharmaceuticals with their inflated drug pricing structures protected for so many years. Who is supporting the research students to bring in the new ideas, the new treatments…just the charities. This Government doesn’t give two-hoots about the poor ill man on the street.
bavaria says
I understand, but I think it’s good to at least try to get this Bill through. If we do nothing and say nothing then nothing will happen and there is no hope. I like to think that it’s better to do something and hope that sense prevails in the long run! :)
MsCaroline says
I have no idea how this works in the UK, but in the US, much of it is driven by cost – and by the insurance companies. Those who can afford it – or who have insurance companies who will pay for it – have a much wider menu of options than those who don’t. Most patients with typical insurance are only covered for the standard treatments that have been ‘approved (probably 40 years ago, as you suggested) – regardless of what their doctors want to do. What a great idea to give doctors the freedom to think outside the box and potentially save more lives..
bavaria says
I think so too. It has been interesting living away from the UK and experiencing having to pay insurance, we do take the NHS for granted. Thank you Caroline!
Sarah@The View From the Table says
How great to be part of this historic bill that will undoubtedly change the experience of those dealing with cancer. I had no idea that treatments were around 40 years old, nor that doctors couldn’t act in their own medical jurisdiction. I’ll pass this on and share x
bavaria says
Thank you so much Sarah x