On 21 June my friend Robin drove me into the medial legal unit to attend Professor Jo Manning’s Inaugural lecture on “Compensation for research-related injury in the UK, Australia and New Zealand: a legal and ethical audit”. Leading bioethicists, national commissions, and leaders of the medical profession around the world have argued that society owes an ethical obligation to compensate for research-related injury, and that no-fault compensation is the best ethical response.
My friend Betsy snapped a picture of me, my ex-husband Bill, and Professor Jo Manning after the event.
UPDATE FROM LUKE:
I received a lovely email update from Robin, Betsy and Dad on how the evening went. There were few details worth mentioning that Mum left out:
From Bill:
Jo Manning is a member of the Cartwright Collective, and made a very nice acknowledgement of Lynda’s work at the start of her lecture (which marked her inauguration as a professor at the law school). In fact it was Lynda’s observations that triggered Jo’s research on compensation for patients adversely affected in clinical trials, which was the subject of her lecture
From Robin:
Jo came to Lynda immediately after her presentation and told Lynda that if/when she/they are successful in getting the law changed in NZ so that ” no fault” compensation is, in the future, awarded to all those who suffer the misfortune of injury by reason of medical trials, the new law will be called, “Lynda’s Law”. Then she added, “and I mean that”, and gave Lynda a long hug.
For me that was a moment I feel so lucky to have witnessed. I feel glad and privileged to have been able to play a small part in helping last night go smoothly and I am very proud of being able to call you my friend for 42 years of my life, Lynda.
You are a magnificent woman. You have made a difference in your life – to young families and their successful birthing and nurturing of their babies, to every area of women’s health, as National Women’s Hospital advocate to assist the communications and successful outcomes for hospitalised patients and now, in what is perhaps your finest moment, an advance that will potentially progress positive and fairer outcomes in the future for all NZers who offer themselves for trial in the process of advancing medical science and consequently producing healthier outcomes for all NZers.This was a wonderful culmination of your career, Lynda.
Arohanui, my dear friend
Thanks very much for passing these comments on – and giving me permission to put them on the blog. The family was very touched to hear this 🙂
Mother, Grand-mother, Friend, Health Activist now Health Consumer
Thanks to all of you for sharing this update. We are proud of your work, Lynda, and it is wonderful to see Jo’s acknowledgement of it. It’s also good to see your team in action, Lynda.
Yes, Robin is quite correct – Lynda’s ear to the ground – attending all those HDEC and DHB meetings over so many years – produced the intel that put us on to this issue – the scandal that Government allows pharmaceutical companies to do business here, & enrol subjects into clinical trials regulated only by voluntary Compensation Guidelines which state that the company has no legal obligation to compensate injured subjects (who surrender their ACC cover to participate in the trial). So they are left without any compensation if injured, and because the information subjects are given does not state this & they are not given the Compensation Guidelines, they only find out if injured and look to the pharma company for compensation. Minister Dunne says that the issue will be reviewed, but they do not appear to be in a hurry. I think that there will eventually be law change to fix this so that ALL subjects have ACC cover. But Lynda – this is another example of your efforts and advocacy producing momentum for change. You are an inspiration. Thank you! I will stay on it – promise!
So glad to read the additional comments. We will all work towards “Lynda’s Law” as a tribute to your persistence and sense of justice, Lynda.🌸👍🏻🙏🏻❤️
What an exciting day for you Lynda – another one due to the fruition of your wonderful work over the years. Lovely photo with Jo and Bill.xx
Lynda, we here in Finland are as proud of you as your family over there. You have had a wonderful career as a professional and as a mother. Much love from both of us.
I am thankful having known and worked with Linda for less than a decade. My parliamentary petition is dedicated to you and your efforts to ensure women got balanced and full information about their maternity care choices; https://www.change.org/p/ministry-of-health-more-support-for-normal-birth-in-new-zealand
Thank you for your amazing example of not giving up on just causes and the facts
Denise
Moe mai ra i te Rangatira Lynda. Your influence on me and many others will not be forgotten, you made the birthing world a better place for many whanau, mine included, priviledged to have fought along side you for 25 years, enjoy you catch up with Joan and Judy. arohanui Jo. Nga mihi mahana ki nga whanau katoa.