Wakefield s GMC hearing scheduled for next month

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Parents rally in support of doctor facing misconduct charge over MMR-autism

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By Judith Duffy, Health Correspondent

Wakefields GMC hearing scheduled for next month

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PARENTS OF autistic children are planning a demonstration in support of the

doctor at the centre of the MMR controversy, when he is summoned for a

disciplinary hearing next month.

The Sunday Herald has learned that Dr Wakefield - who first

suggested a link between the triple jab for mumps, measles and rubella, and

autism and bowel disease - is due to appear before the General Medical

Council (GMC) on July 16.

His research, published in 1998, led to widespread public fears about the

safety of the vaccine and triggered a decline in MMR immunisation levels

across the UK. Prime minister Tony Blair was even drawn into the row after

consistently refusing to reveal whether his son Leo, now seven, received

the jab.

Wakefield, who is now working in America, has faced widespread criticisms

over the claims, with subsequent studies failing to confirm the link. In

late 2004, the GMC launched an inquiry into allegations of serious

professional misconduct against him and two former colleagues.

But parents who believe their children's autism has been triggered by the

vaccine are planning to show their support for the doctor outside next

month's disciplinary hearing in London.

In addition, an online petition to demand the government and health

organisations " stop investigating the doctors and start investigating the

patients " has collected more than 4000 signatures.

Campaigner Bill Welsh, president of the Edinburgh-based Autism Treatment

Trust, claimed Wakefield was the victim of a " medical establishment

witch-hunt " .

" Dr Wakefield listened to the parents about their children's disease,

clinically investigated the children and reported what he found - where is

the crime in that? " he said. " This trial undermines the possibility of any

future independent scientific research that might challenge establishment

policy. "

The petition, started by campaigner Nigel - who has two brothers

diagnosed with autism - states: " I have seen first-hand their decline, seen

them screaming in pain and I have seen how all but a handful of doctors

repeatedly refused to investigate their problems, brushing off the family's

concerns and leaving us helpless, like thousands of other families around

the world.

" The only doctors who were prepared to help are now on trial whilst the

children are denied basic investigations. "

A spokesman for the GMC told the Sunday Herald that there would be a

hearing involving Wakefield " in the near future " , but insisted he could not

confirm the date. He added that the exact charges which were being brought

against the doctor would only be revealed at the start of the hearing.

Health officials have consistently maintained that MMR is safe and latest

figures show that confidence in the jab is returning. However, vaccination

rates across Scotland are still around 3% below the 95% target.

A government spokeswoman said MMR was the safest, most effective way of

protecting children.

" The uptake of the MMR vaccination remains at a higher level than in recent

times, but we will continue to monitor the level of immunisation, " she added.

But many parents still harbour doubts. A Sunday Herald investigation last

year revealed that thousands of children in Scotland have received single

jabs for measles, mumps and rubella in recent years, with parents paying

hundreds of pounds at private clinics because they are not available on the

NHS.

Louise Tollin, from East Kilbride, thinks MMR led to her child being

diagnosed with autism in 2004. She said four-year-old showed no

signs of problems until he received the vaccine, when he " began to regress

before her eyes " .

" was born normal, I am 100% sure about that, " she said. " He got

the MMR at the beginning of June and by the end of the month he had stopped

responding to his name. "

She added: " I think the government knows exactly what is going on and it is

all being swept under the carpet. "

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Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Hahnemannian Homeopath

Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Nevada City CA & Wales UK

Vaccines - http://www.nccn.net/~wwithin/vaccine.htm