House of Commons – May 16, 2025 – a.707.3.4

Question put accordingly, That the clause be read a Second time.

Clause text:

New Clause 10 - No obligation to provide assistance etc “(1) No person is under any duty to participate in the provision of assistance in accordance with this Act. (2) No registered medical practitioner is under any duty to become— (a) the coordinating doctor in relation to any person, or (b) the independent doctor in relation to any person. (3) No registered medical practitioner, other than the coordinating doctor or the independent doctor, is under any duty to perform any function under or in connection with this Act other than— (a) a function relating to the giving of notifications, or (b) a function relating to the recording of matters in a person’s medical records. (4) No health professional or social care professional is under any duty to respond when consulted under section 11(3)(b) (requirement for assessing doctor to consult professional with relevant qualifications or experience). (5) No registered pharmacist or registered pharmacy technician is under any duty to participate in the supply of an approved substance to a registered medical practitioner for use in accordance with section 23. (6) No person is under any duty to— (a) act as a witness under this Act, or (b) act as a proxy under this Act. (7) Nothing in this section affects— (a) any duty relating to the giving of notifications under this Act or the recording of matters in a person’s medical records, (b) any duty relating to a requirement to keep records or to provide information, or (c) any duty of a professional to respond to enquiries made under section 11(2)(b) (enquiries by assessing doctor) relating to health or social care the professional is providing, or has recently provided, to a person seeking assistance under this Act. (8) Schedule (Protection from detriment) amends the Employment Rights Act 1996 to make provision to protect employees and other workers from being subjected to any detriment for— (a) exercising (or proposing to exercise) a right under this section not to participate in an activity or perform a function, or (b) participating in the provision of assistance in accordance with this Act or performing any other function under this Act. (9) In this section— (a) a reference to a duty includes any duty, whether arising from any contract, statute or otherwise;

(b) “registered pharmacist” and “registered pharmacy technician” have the same meaning as in the Pharmacy Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/231) (see article 3 of that Order).”—(Kim Leadbeater.)