UK Parliament home

Open Give patients a right to receive a medical second opinion

Created by Clare Adams
Closes on

We call on the Government to introduce legislation giving patients a clear legal right to receive a second medical opinion within the NHS, without fear of refusal, delay, or negative impact on their ongoing care.

Patients may be told they can request a second opinion, but this is often refused without explanation as they currently do not have a legal right to receive one. This leaves people—especially those with rare, complex or life-limiting conditions—at risk of misdiagnosis and delayed care. A legal right would improve patient safety, reduce bias, support earlier diagnosis, empower patients, and increase transparency and trust within the NHS.

Sign this petition

260 signatures

Show on a map

10,000

Petition progress

View all updates for this petition, with the most recent first.

  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 23 July 2026.