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The All Party Parliamentary Group on First Do No Harm (APPG-FDNH) is a group of parliamentarians who are committed to raising awareness of and building support for the recommendations in “First Do No Harm”, the report of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review, and to ensure the implementation of the recommendations by the UK Government and others.

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Baroness Julia Cumberlege CBE DL
Baroness Julia Cumberlege CBE DL

Chair of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review

“The first duty of any health system is to do no harm to those in its care; but I am sorry to say that in too many cases concerning Primodos, sodium valproate and pelvic mesh, our system has failed in its responsibilities. We met with people, more often than not women, whose worlds have been turned upside down, their whole lives, and often their children’s lives, shaped by the pain, anguish and guilt they feel as the result of Primodos, sodium valproate or pelvic mesh. It has been a shocking and truly heart-rending experience. We owe it to the victims of these failings, and to thousands of future patients, to do better.

 “That is why, having spent two years listening to these stories of acute suffering, “First Do No Harm” is an appropriate title and a necessary reminder not just to doctors but to the whole healthcare system. We are urging the system to do what it should have done years ago, to help those who have suffered and put in place the processes that will enable it to learn from past mistakes so that we spare other families from such anguish.

 “The system’s response – or lack of one – has added to the pain – both physical and mental – of those affected. The system and its leaders need to acknowledge what has gone so badly wrong. Our major recommendations, together with a number of actions for improvement we call for in our report, are wide ranging and radical. Given what we have witnessed, we are clear that is what is needed now.”

This is not an official website of the House of Commons or the House of Lords. It has not been approved by either House or its committees. AII-Party Parliamentary Groups are informal groups of Members of both Houses with a common interest in particular issues. The views expressed in these webpages are those of the group.