Petition to: The UK Health Secretary - Steve Barclay
Let ST's story be heard: End reporting restrictions
victory
Let ST's story be heard: End reporting restrictions
Update – 22 Sep 2023:
Thanks to your support and the excellent work of the Christian Legal Centre, the family of ‘ST’ has today won the right to name her and share her story!
Today, the Family Division of the High Court has ruled that Sudiksha's parents and her brother can be named and are free to tell the courageous 19-year-old's story and share the ordeal they have been through.
Again, your support has helped achieve this victory.
Original text:
I write to you today with a heavy heart and deep sadness about the death of ST.
Her heart-wrenching story underscores the urgent need for change in our healthcare system.
The brave teenager and her family have spent the majority of 2023 locked in a legal fight with doctors who wanted to withdraw her life-preserving treatment. These same doctors also blocked ST from seeking alternative life-saving treatment in Canada through a controversial court mechanism called a "Transparency Order".
The order imposes draconian restrictions on reporting any information that might lead to the identification of ST, members of her family, or the hospital. This prevented ST and her parents from giving any media interviews or raising funds for her care. Even now, in the hour of their grief, ST’s parents are still banned from sharing her story.
ST’s story deserves to be heard! Join us in demanding the UK Health Secretary lift the reporting restrictions on her case so we can hear it.
In a healthcare system funded by the public, transparency and accountability are paramount. However, Transparency Orders, as seen in ST's case, obstruct transparency and prevent public scrutiny of critical medical decisions. This lack of transparency challenges the NHS's accountability to the very taxpayers who support it.
We cannot let cases like STs continue without change. Sign our petition calling for an urgent review on the NHS’ use of "Transparency Orders" and their anti-life consequences.
Every individual, irrespective of their medical condition, should have the right to make informed decisions about their healthcare. Transparency Orders often silence patients like ST and their families, undermining autonomy, and dignity.
In situations where life and death hang in the balance, transparency is not a luxury but an essential element of justice. Justice that ST was denied.
Your support has always been invaluable to us, and we now implore you to stand with us in this critical moment. We need your voice to advocate for change to ensure that no other family faces the torment that ST's family endured.
Act now and help prevent further tragic cases. Sign our petition to demand transparency and justice.
Learn more:
'We seek justice for Sudiksha today': https://christianconcern.com/news/we-seek-justice-for-sudiksha-today/
Family of ill teen say they were 'brutally silenced' by courts: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-66893040
The parents of Sudiksha Thirumalesh - only known as 'ST' until today - reveal their anger and grief after their daughter's death which saw them dragged through the courts after trying to raise money for her medical treatment overseas: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12551033/Parents-Sudiksha-Thirumalesh-ST-anger-grief-daughters-death-courts-raise-money-medical-treatment-overseas.html
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Petition to: The UK Health Secretary - Steve Barclay
We, the undersigned, approach you with heavy hearts and profound sadness over the tragic death of ST. Her heart-wrenching story compels us to call for critical reforms within our healthcare system.
The brave teenager and her family endured a harrowing six-month legal battle against doctors who wished to withdraw her life-preserving treatment and then imposed a "Transparency Order" to prevent her from exploring alternative life-saving treatment in Canada.
This order restricted reporting on ST's case, silencing her family and denying them the ability to share her story or raise funds for her care. Even now, they cannot share her story.
In a healthcare system funded by the public, transparency and accountability are paramount. However, Transparency Orders, as seen in ST's case, obstruct transparency and prevent public scrutiny of critical medical decisions. This lack of transparency challenges the NHS's accountability to the very taxpayers who support it.
We, therefore, urge you to:
- Order the immediate removal of the reporting restrictions on ST's case, allowing her family to share their story and raise awareness about the challenges they faced in their fight for her right to live.
- Initiate a comprehensive review of the NHS’ use of "Transparency Orders" and the negative consequences they impose, particularly on the right to life and individual autonomy.
- Change guidelines so that transparency orders are automatically lifted upon the death of the individuals under them, permitting an open and honest discussion about their case.
ST's tragic case underscores the need for transparency, accountability, and respect for individual autonomy in healthcare decisions. We implore you to take our concerns seriously and work towards a more compassionate NHS.
Thank you for your urgent attention to this matter.
Petition to: The UK Health Secretary - Steve Barclay
We, the undersigned, approach you with heavy hearts and profound sadness over the tragic death of ST. Her heart-wrenching story compels us to call for critical reforms within our healthcare system.
The brave teenager and her family endured a harrowing six-month legal battle against doctors who wished to withdraw her life-preserving treatment and then imposed a "Transparency Order" to prevent her from exploring alternative life-saving treatment in Canada.
This order restricted reporting on ST's case, silencing her family and denying them the ability to share her story or raise funds for her care. Even now, they cannot share her story.
In a healthcare system funded by the public, transparency and accountability are paramount. However, Transparency Orders, as seen in ST's case, obstruct transparency and prevent public scrutiny of critical medical decisions. This lack of transparency challenges the NHS's accountability to the very taxpayers who support it.
We, therefore, urge you to:
- Order the immediate removal of the reporting restrictions on ST's case, allowing her family to share their story and raise awareness about the challenges they faced in their fight for her right to live.
- Initiate a comprehensive review of the NHS’ use of "Transparency Orders" and the negative consequences they impose, particularly on the right to life and individual autonomy.
- Change guidelines so that transparency orders are automatically lifted upon the death of the individuals under them, permitting an open and honest discussion about their case.
ST's tragic case underscores the need for transparency, accountability, and respect for individual autonomy in healthcare decisions. We implore you to take our concerns seriously and work towards a more compassionate NHS.
Thank you for your urgent attention to this matter.
