"My Lords, I join with the noble Baroness, Lady Watkins, in welcoming government Amendment 12, which says:
“A registered care provider is to be regarded for the purposes of section 6(3)(b) of the Human Rights Act 1998 as exercising a function of a public nature in providing any of the …..." Lord Pannick - View Speech
"My Lords, there is a profound irony in this group of amendments, because the Bill introduces far greater protection for vulnerable patients than exists under current law. Terminally ill people are currently vulnerable to all sorts of pressures from family members and others who may have their own agendas in …..." Lord Pannick - View Speech
"This is at the heart of the Bill. Is there really such a profound difference between an individual being able to say, “I’m going to stop chemotherapy” or “I’m going to stop eating because my life is intolerable”, and that person saying to the doctor, “I wish to have a …..." Lord Pannick - View Speech
"My Lords, may I just say that other views are available in the legal community, including among many distinguished judges who I will not name. There are many law reports that question this distinction, not least for the reasons that have just been given...." Lord Pannick - View Speech
"What is the difference between that conversation and the conversation that happens every day, in tragic personal circumstances, where the relative or friend says to the dying person, “Have you considered giving up your chemotherapy”?..." Lord Pannick - View Speech
"I am sorry to interrupt. There have been a number of references to the DPP’s guidelines. For accuracy, will the noble Baroness accept that paragraph 45.5 of the guidelines says:
“A prosecution is less likely to be required if … the actions of the suspect may be characterised as reluctant …..." Lord Pannick - View Speech
"On the NHS app, it is not simply the inconvenience to those travelling but the waste of time of NHS practitioners who are being asked to provide letters to people who are travelling. It is vital that the Minister uses his best endeavours to make sure this problem is resolved …..." Lord Pannick - View Speech
"The Minister mentioned the importance of the booster dose. Can he explain why the valuable NHS app does not prominently display that the individual has received a booster jab, as is the case with the first two doses? The information is hidden away on the app and cannot be downloaded. …..." Lord Pannick - View Speech
"My Lords, my mother-in-law is 84 years old. That sounds like the beginning of a bad joke but it is not funny because she has serious health concerns and is very high risk. Over the past couple of weeks, my wife has repeatedly telephoned her NHS GP practice in north-west …..." Lord Pannick - View Speech
"My Lords, I, too, welcome the amendment. It will further emphasise that, in order to be lawful, medical innovation must be responsible. The criterion of responsibility has been the essence of the law on this subject since the judgment of Mr Justice McNair in the Bolam case in 1957, when …..." Lord Pannick - View Speech