Death Of Caroline Bacon And The Provision Of Contraceptives To Minors

EDM number 172 in 1998-99, proposed by Marsha Singh on 13/01/1999.

That this House expresses its sadness and regret at the tragic death of 16 year old Caroline Bacon, who died after 11 months' paralysis following a stroke; notes that her condition arose as a medical complication arising from her taking the contraceptive pill for six months from the age of fourteen and a half years; further notes that inadequate medical checks were undertaken at the time she was prescribed that oral contraception; believes that powerful oral contraceptives should only be prescribed to patients after proper counselling, advice upon attendant risks, and following due medical investigation; extends its deep sympathy to Mr and Mrs Bacon on the death of their daughter; sympathises with their anger and frustration that such contraceptives had been prescribed for Caroline without their knowledge; believes that all parents have a right to be informed that contraceptives have been prescribed to their children aged under 16 years; and invites Her Majesty's Government urgently to review the law and the guidelines issued to medical practitioners in this area.

This motion has been signed by a total of 74 MPs, 9 of these signatures have been withdrawn.