Hi everyone
It’s been a long time since I’ve been in touch with you all – hallo again.
Since October 2007, I’ve been working with RemedyUK – initially as a committee member and, for the last six months, as Co-Chair with Matt Jameson Evans. You won’t have heard much from Remedy in the news, but we’ve not been idle. Transforming an organic campaign into an organisation is no easy task, and it’s one we’re still engaged in. But our bottom line is the same as it ever was: to articulate the concerns of grassroots doctors in the places where decisions are made, support them where we can – and offer innovative and practical solutions and strategies that will make their lives easier.
Most of all, we’re determined to always do the right thing, without fear or favour. And it’s for that reason that you’re reading this now. Because we need your help.
As you know, despite two independent reports and a Health Select Committee inquiry, the architects of MTAS 2007 have not been held to account. We have always believed that this is unacceptable, and that the perception of ‘one rule for us, another for them’ is a festering sore. But we didn’t now if we were alone – if, now time had passed, people preferred to move on from the events of 2007. So in August 2008, we launched our Unfinished Business petition, inviting signatories to a letter to the GMC asking that they institute an inquiry. Sixteen hundred people put their names to the petition, and their freely given comments reassured us that we were not alone in our determination to establish accountability and one rule for all.
The GMC have refused our request. We have consulted our lawyers, and they tell us we have a strong and simple case. We are therefore applying to the High Court for judicial review of the GMC’s decision, and the GMC have been so notified today. You’ll find full and comprehensive details on the Remedy website, HYPERLINK "http://www.RemedyUK.org" www.RemedyUK.org, so I won’t repeat them here. We’re calling this appeal the Double Standards Challenge.
Our lawyers are solicitors Leigh Day and barrister Tom de la Mare of Blackstone Chambers. We need to raise £20,000 by March to cover costs should we lose and to demonstrate to the court that this is no frivolous action.
Yes, I’m asking you to put your hands in your pockets again.
As you’ll see when you read the details, this is a much simpler action than the May 2007 judicial review. Our lawyers are cautiously optimistic that the outcome will be positive. But we simply don’t have £20,000: the case cannot go ahead unless it has financial support from those who share our determination that there will be justice.
If you’re one of the 1600 signatories to Unfinished Business and a RemedyUK member, this may be the third email you’ve received on this subject. If that’s the case, and especially if you’ve already made a donation, I apologise and I thank you. But time is short, the need is pressing – and I hope you’ll forgive us for covering all the bases!
You can make your donation to the Double Standards Challenge online via the Remedy web site – HYPERLINK "http://www.RemedyUK.org" www.RemedyUK.org - by all the usual methods.
Thank you.
With every good wish to you and your families
Lindsay Cooke