Overview

The Medical Innovation Bill aims to encourage doctors in England and Wales to try new medical treatments, even if they are not yet widely accepted, as long as they do so responsibly and transparently. It clarifies that such actions will not automatically be considered negligent.

Description

The bill defines "responsible innovation" in medical treatment. A doctor departing from standard treatments will not be considered negligent if they:

• Consult with other appropriately qualified doctors.
• Consider the patient's views and the risks and benefits of the proposed treatment.
• Obtain necessary consents.
• Comply with professional requirements for registering the treatment and recording its outcomes.
• Ensure their decision-making process is accountable and transparent (documented in patient notes).

The bill does not apply to treatments for medical research or purely cosmetic purposes. It also clarifies that the bill does not affect existing common law regarding medical negligence and allows doctors to continue relying on established precedents for the defence of their actions. The bill specifies that treatment must be in the best interests of the patient.

Government Spending

The bill does not directly specify government spending. The implementation may involve some administrative costs associated with creating and maintaining a system for registering innovative treatments, but no figures are provided in the text.

Groups Affected

• Doctors: The bill directly affects doctors in England and Wales, providing them with potential legal protection when trying new treatments responsibly. Increased accountability and administrative burdens relating to documentation will also need to be considered.
• Patients: Patients in England and Wales might benefit from access to innovative treatments not currently available. However, increased risk due to the adoption of new, experimental treatments is also a consideration.
• Medical regulatory bodies: These bodies will likely need to adapt their processes to reflect the changes introduced by the bill. They may see an increase in the number of innovative treatment applications that require review.

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