Concise Novel Title for General Audience

When a woman who apparently attempted suicide is saved by a British emergency room doctor, he is accused of committing a crime and stands trial. Not only is Dr. Matthew Kemble's medical practice at risk, but also his liberty. If he is found guilty of trespassing on a woman's right to die, he could go to jail.

The novel "Do No Harm" exposes the dangers faced by conscientious doctors in Britain. Dr. Kemble's decision to treat a patient in defiance of her Living Will pits him against English Law, public opinion, and his own profession. The legal and personal battles he faces raise many questions about the role of the physician in the modern world, contemporary beliefs about autonomy and human rights, and the increasingly bitter clash of values in twenty-first-century Britain.

Set in and around London, the story explores the interrelated stories of a physician facing ruin and imprisonment at the height of his career, his old friend and doggedly determined lawyer, Jonathan Kirkpatrick, and Maria, a passionate, dedicated but intensely lonely young campaigner who, while working for the defense, proves incapable of staying out of trouble herself.

The legal and personal battles Dr. Kemble faces raise questions about the role of the physician in the modern world, contemporary beliefs about autonomy and human rights, and the increasingly bitter clash of values in twenty-first-century Britain. The novel "Do No Harm" exposes the dangers faced by conscientious doctors in Britain, as Dr. Kemble's decision to treat a patient in defiance of her Living Will pits him against English Law, public opinion, and his own profession.

Set against the backdrop of London, the story interweaves the narratives of Dr. Kemble, facing potential ruin and imprisonment at the height of his career, his old friend and determined lawyer, Jonathan Kirkpatrick, and Maria, a passionate and dedicated but intensely lonely young campaigner who, while working on the defense, finds herself unable to stay out of trouble.

The novel explores the complex and thought-provoking issues surrounding the role of the physician, personal autonomy, and the evolving landscape of human rights in contemporary Britain. As Dr. Kemble's case unfolds, it sheds light on the ethical dilemmas and societal tensions that arise when the principles of medical practice collide with the legal and cultural norms of the time.

Through the intertwined stories of the central characters, "Do No Harm" presents a compelling and insightful exploration of the challenges faced by conscientious healthcare professionals navigating the shifting terrain of individual rights, professional responsibilities, and the ever-changing societal values in twenty-first-century Britain.

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