KERRIE WOOLTORTON AND THE MENTAL CAPACITY ACT

Early day motion 2012, tabled 13 October 2009 by Jim Dobbin (Labour). Signed by 27 members.

That this House records with deep regret the tragic death of Kerrie Wooltorton, who attempted suicide by swallowing anti-freeze and handed a letter to hospital staff stating that she did not want to be saved; notes the great distress of her parents who informed doctors that she was suffering from a mental disorder causing bouts of severe depression and begged that she should be resuscitated; notes they were informed that the staff were frightened to do so because under the Mental Capacity Act they could be charged with assault; notes that 26 year-old Kerrie died the following day and that many hon. Members wish to offer their deep sympathies to her parents in their grief; recalls that civil servants responsible for drafting the Bill, Government officials and hon. Members were repeatedly warned that this was exactly the kind of case which could result from the law; further notes that among those who gave warnings were John Finnis, Professor of Law and Legal Philosophy, Oxford University, Dr Phillip Howard, Consultant and Senior Lecturer in General and Emergency Medicine and Jamie Bogle, Barrister in Family Law; and urges the Government to ensure that now that hon. Members have had an opportunity to see the results of the relative clauses in the Act, they should be allowed a review to consider the manner of its working and whether it requires amending.

Signatures by party: Labour 11, Conservative 9, DUP 2, Liberal Democrat 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Independent 1.