Understandably frustrated with my failure to provide a suitable post-GMC newsletter for

the Thoughtful House website one of my colleagues posted a version of their own. My

apologies. My failure to produce something myself was not through lack of trying. Much

of what I have written would not have been suitable for publication; rather it has been a

catharsis best moved to the computer’s recycle bin the morning after. First then, a

disclaimer: this is my personal message to parents. No one else and no organization can

be held responsible.

Second, let me say that the support given to me and to my family throughout the hearing

has been magnificent, from the extraordinary scenes of the opening day to the panel

chairman, Dr Kumar’s final tea break, and beyond. Knowing that friends were there

every day kept me focused on what the hearing was really about and who’s case I was

actually representing at the GMC. My particular thanks are due to the wonderful

CryShame team. Without question, the messages of support on the website, read every

morning, steeled me for the day ahead. For my parents, however, unwavering in their

support but away from the hearing, the messages were a lifeline, sustaining them in a way

that my attempts at self-justification never could. It is for this in particular that I will be

forever in your debt.

Many parents and friends travelled long distances at considerable personal expense, some

only to find that there had been another interruption in the proceedings. I was never

aware of a single complaint, just support and smiles. Martin Walker flew in from Spain

to provide coverage of the hearings that transformed the mundane to a mauling of the

prosecution. Jim Moody jetted in from the US as though Washington DC was one stopon

from Ealing Broadway on the District Line.

My undertaking to all parents of affected children, wherever they may be, is that the work

will continue; the fight for recovery and prevention has not been and will not be deflected

by the efforts of those who contrived the GMC hearing. Rather, this erroneous and

misguided prosecution has only served to unite people in their efforts and to focus

attention on the failings of a system in crisis. From the hearing there will be unexpected

and sometimes painful lessons for some. Medicine cannot afford to cower in the face of

an agenda that has little concern for the welfare of the individual. I have no need of

continued registration with the GMC; that was never the real issue at stake here. Parents,

please trust your instincts and remember in the coming months, as the tide of dissent

grows, that the power to effect change is with you– so am I.

Andy Wakefield.