On the 1st of April 2023, my beloved son Matthew tragically lost his life to meningitis. He was only 21 years old. What makes this loss even more devastating is the fact that Matthew was in a property with three individuals who were fully capable of calling for medical help, yet they chose not to due to the presence of drugs in the house.

Matthew's condition deteriorated rapidly. He was unable to speak, he soiled himself, and sepsis began spreading in his spinal cord and brain stem. Despite being surrounded by people who could have easily saved his life, no law has been broken and justice remains elusive.

This petition is deeply personal to me because I firmly believe that every human being deserves a chance at life when faced with a medical emergency. It should be an inherent human right that if an able individual is present with someone who requires urgent medical assistance but cannot call for help themselves, they are obligated by law to act on their behalf.

By enacting legislation requiring individuals present during emergencies to take immediate action on behalf of those unable to seek help themselves, we can prevent unnecessary deaths like Matthew's from occurring again in the future.

Studies have shown that delays in accessing emergency medical services contribute significantly to mortality rates. In other countries where Good Samaritan laws exist - including France - their introduction has led to significant improvements in survival rates

It is crucial that we address this issue and advocate for a change in the law. By establishing a right to life and duty of care, we can ensure that anyone who is too unwell to call for an ambulance or emergency services receives the best chance at survival.

I urge you to sign this petition and join me in demanding legislative action that will make it mandatory for able individuals to assist those unable to seek medical help during emergencies. It’s too late for my son but, together, we can save lives and uphold our shared responsibility towards one another.

Let us honour Matthew's memory by creating a world where no one is left behind when their life hangs in the balance. Sign now and let your voice be heard - because every second counts when it comes to saving lives.