Belfast Newsletter
A Northern Ireland-based peer is championing a bill which aims to protect the freedom of conscience for medical professionals.
The Conscientious Objection (Medical Activities) Bill is designed to grant protection to healthcare workers – including doctors, midwives, nurses, and pharmacists – who object on grounds of conscience to being asked to participate in end-of-life treatment.
In practice, this could see medics opting out of any involvement in abortion services.
Professionals could be excused from taking part in the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, and could also refuse to participate in any aspect of IVF treatment. . . [Full text]