Last June I was happy to join several members of the West London Network MESH (WLNM) to travel to the High Court on the Strand for the hearing applying for a Judicial Review of the NICE Guidelines. This action is patient-led, one of whom is a member of WLNM. We went to support our fellow member and to be conspicuous in the public gallery.
NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) issued their Guidelines for doctors in August 2007 amid protests from patients and medical researchers that they had not followed the correct protocols in producing the Guideline. Patient groups fear that some patients could be pressured into accepting treatments which at best may be useless and at worst could cause real harm (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Graded Exercise Therapy).
The hearing lasted almost 2 hours and I listened with great interest and nervousness as the barristers put their cases. As members of the public we were packed (like sardines) in to the rows behind the solicitors, barristers and all the key players and so had a full view of the proceedings. As Dr Charles Shepherd reported in July ‘08 ME Essential, the court was cramped and the acoustics poor. It was a nail-biter as it had looked throughout as if the judge would decide against us. After summing up Mr Justice Cranston agreed that there were legal issues of “great public importance” at stake and that the case “should go forward”. The date for the full hearing is scheduled for 11-12 February 2009. It will take place at the High Court in the Strand and will be open to the public. The two people with ME are being represented by www.leighday.co.uk
Linda is hoping to attend for at least part of the hearing as I am myself. Access is relatively easy from Waterloo Station. If you are interested in attending – please confirm the date on one of the following websites http://www.meassociation.org.uk www.meactionuk.org.uk or www.nicemecourt.co.uk.
Written for the Richmond and Kingston ME Group.
