Ahead of the debate in the House of Lords on Friday 24 October, the Medical Protection Society (MPS) reiterates its opposition to the Medical Innovation Bill as it has the danger to inhibit responsible innovation, give false reassurance to doctors, and damage the doctor-patient relationship.
Dr Nick Clements, Head of Medical Services at MPS said: “The Medical Innovation Bill places unrealistic demands on doctors and is a serious threat to the doctor-patient relationship.
“The high level of publicity surrounding the Bill adds to the ever growing risk that there will be false perception amongst patients that all innovative treatments are readily available for the taking. This is simply not the case. Not all doctors have an understanding of every possible treatment, nor will they be obligated to provide them. It will be for the doctor to explain this to a patient who was lead to believe otherwise, undermining the trust and cooperation that must underpin a strong and trusting doctor-patient relationship.
“An investigation of all potential barriers to responsible innovation may well be needed. This Bill is not.”
Further information
For further information or to interview Dr Clements please contact Stella-Maris Zegge, Press Officer at MPS on +44 207 399 1439 or email [email protected]