I have tried to post this update several times and it never seems to work - fingers crossed it goes though this time!
I will discuss the following in depth with the committee on the 2nd of September. However, I would like to know how the supporters of the campaign feel about this.
I have been in communications with The Petitions team - UK Government and Parliament. They have informed me that there is one possibility the petition could be accepted but we have to change quite a lot. It would have to be along the lines of...
'Asking the Government to commission NICE to Review their Guidelines for Chronic Pain' - they are not aloud to accept a petition that pre judges the outcome which we all know that is not the point of this what so ever because it's about the suffering that is being caused. However, that's what is on the table.
The positives are there is a possibility it will get in to debate for parliament. Which will increase the possibility for the media and I hope by then we will have the Freedom of Information act Information from the Commissioner to back us up as well.
The negatives are it could easily be dismissed by Parliament and NICE. We would need 10,000 to get a response and 100,00 for it to be debated at Parliament. I would need everyone to work with me to get those signatures. Let me know your thoughts please.
Now to the Good News!
'NICE' do not have a Regulatory Body but are Overseen by the Department of Health and Social Care (Government Department).
When I started the Campaign over a year ago. NICE's cruel changes were a proposal at this stage. I contacted my local MP about this and she stated that she would not help. Then, when the changes were published in April 2021, I contacted my local MP again and I received no response. Therefore, I have been emailing, phoning and sending letter's to her office with evidence and Information as I accumulated & analysed it. More recently I have kindly also had the support from the committee with this as well.
Anyway, I am very happy to announce that Alicia Kearns MP will be sending the documents to the Department of Health and Social Care (Government Department) and She is happy to arrange a meeting with me when we receive a response from them.
In Addition, Tor (Committee Member) has also had a postive response from her MP after sending her personal story, cover letter and paper protest. Tor's local MP will be sending the campaign information and evidence to the Department of Health and Social Care. Fantastic work Tor!
Also, Tamara (A supporter of the Campaign) who's first letter was dismissed like most of ours was. Proceeded with a further email breaking down the facts from the Paper Protest and facts we have available on the petition website and her local MP has sent the documents to the Department as well. Brilliant work Tamara!!
There is power in Numbers - the more people that are able to do this, the more they have to listen to us!
#ChronicPainisNotNice