Stop the Saatchi Bill

Driven by an extraordinary two-year PR campaign on social media and a supportive newspaper partner, this all started as Lord Saatchi’s Medical Innovation Bill, metamorphosed through several versions, and was resurrected under a new name by Chris Heaton-Harris, before finally clearing its last hurdle in the Lords this week to become the Access to Medical Treatments (Innovation) Act. Pretty much the only thing they share is the word 'Innovation' in the title.

One day, it may be possible for politicians to ask the people who actually work in the medical field: what are the problems you face, and how can we help you overcome them?

One day, politicians may actually listen to the answers they receive, and thus try to tackle genuine problems rather than imagined ones.

One day, politicians, medics, researchers, lawyers, patient groups, charities, and the public, may work together to overcome the barriers to the development and provision of new treatments.

But it is not this day.

Read more: Not this day

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The Money Resolution: Part 2 – Changing Common Law

Guest post by José Miola, Professor of Medical Law, University of Leicester. On several occasions during the Money Resolution Debate on Chris Heaton-Harris’ Access to Medical Treatments (Innovation) Bill (AMTIB), the claim was made that the clinical negligence aspects to the Bill would either not change current law or at least provide patients with equal protection. To this end, George…

Follow the money

The Money Resolution for Chris Heaton-Harris’s version of Lord Saatchi’s Medical Innovation Bill will be heard and voted on in the Commons this coming Tuesday. We need a minute of your time again. Today. Now. The Money Resolution is an essential step in the progress of any Bill that includes a proposal for new or increased public expenditure. The Bill cannot be considered…

Second Reading of the AMTIB

The Second Reading of Chris Heaton-Harris’s Access to Medical Treatments (Innovation) Bill (AMTIB) in the House of Commons was on Friday 16 October 2015 and lasted over four hours. It can be watched here: (Go to Parliament TV for other viewing options.) The main speakers were: 09:48:30 Access to Medical Treatments (Innovation) Bill – 2nd reading 09:48:36 Chris Heaton-Harris MP (Daventry, Conservative) 10:14:27 Dr Sarah…

It’s like déjà vu all over again…

Guest post by José Miola, Professor of Medical Law, University of Leicester. So Chris Heaton-Harris MP’s Access to Medical Treatments (Innovation) Bill (AMTIB), the latest version of Lord Saatchi’s Medical Innovation Bill (MIB), was voted through its second reading today by 32 votes to 19. This was despite informed, intelligent comments from Heidi Alexander MP and Sarah Wollaston MP, which…

Call to action!

We need your help. We need you to make sure your MP knows the facts about Chris Heaton-Harris’s Access to Medical Treatments (Innovation) Bill, which will have its Second Reading in the House of Commons this coming Friday, 16th October. This is an important opportunity for MPs to discuss and thoroughly scrutinise the Bill. This new Bill is being touted as the…

Side by side

Chris Heaton-Harris’ Access to Medical Treatments (Innovation) Bill was touted as the successor to Lord Saatchi’s Medical Innovation Bill, but is it? The hype suggests that the Access to Medical Treatments (Innovation) Bill, a Private Member’s Bill being taken forward by Chris Heaton-Harris MP, is a direct replacement for Lord Saatchi’s much-derided Medical Innovation Bill (the Saatchi Bill). However, Saatchi’s original…