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

Follow us and take action

Firstly, sign up to receive email updates — see the sign-up box on the right.

Secondly, add our widget to your blog or website — see the instructions on the right.

Thirdly, write to your MP to tell them you oppose the Bill and make them aware of the very high levels of opposition from the medical and legal professions, research charities and patient groups.

Your message doesn’t have to be long; just a short message will do. It’s always best to use your own words, but here’s some key points you may want to use:

Please oppose the Medical Innovation Bill that has been introduced by Lord Saatchi.

The Bill is not needed, removes vital patient protections, risks reckless practice, protects quackery and could harm medical research.

The vast majority of medical professional bodies and charities oppose the Bill.

Full details can be found at www.StopTheSaatchiBill.co.uk

You can write to your MP directly, or use the convenient Write to Them website: all you have to do is enter your postcode below and click on Submit and you will be taken directly to the Write To Them website.

However, if you use the Write to Them website, you must not just copy and paste the text above. Duplicate emails may not be delivered and it is a breach of Write to Them’s terms and conditions, so please make the words your own, highlighting the key points you want to make about the Bill. A personally-written email will have more impact and is more likely to persuade. Please also keep it polite and to the point.

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If you would like to write to a Lord, you can do so here.