Dialysis Treatment Of Sylvia Mchugh Of Gorton

EDM number 738 in 1995-96, proposed by Gerald Kaufman on 17/04/1996.

That this House expresses its deep concern about the case of Sylvia McHugh of Gorton, a kidney patient on dialysis at Manchester Royal Infirmary; notes that Sylvia had a transplant 14 years ago but that it failed after nine years and she is never going to be able to have another one; notes further that Sylvia has been receiving dialysis three times a week on a morning programme but that Manchester Royal Infirmary has now decided, against Sylvia's wishes, to transfer her to evening dialysis treatment; notes further that, since Sylvia will be unlikely to get home from the evening treatment until about midnight, she will be deprived of spending time with her 10-year-old daughter; notes further that transferring Sylvia to evening treatment will impose strain on her mother, who not only looks after Sylvia's daughter but looks after her own aged mother as well; notes that, in his discussions with the authorities at Manchester Royal Infirmary, the Right honourable Member for Manchester, Gorton, has been told that the decision to transfer Sylvia from morning to evening treatment is a clinical judgment but that it has been admitted to the Right honourable Member that it could be seen as less a clinical judgment than a time-tabling decision; of course accepts that the needs of other dialysis patients must be taken into account but nevertheless deplores the flat refusal to take account of the wishes of Sylvia herself whose life expectation is limited and who, instead of suffering psychological damage and having her quality of life reduced by this change, ought to be allowed to spend what time she has left in the most contented way possible; and therefore urges Manchester Royal Infirmary to meet Sylvia's wishes and transfer her back to morning treatment.

This motion has been signed by a total of 32 MPs.