New execution protocol similar to doctor-assisted suicide recommended

New York Post

Lindsey Bever

Days after the botched execution of Oklahoma inmate Clayton Lockett, a bipartisan committee studying the death penalty has recommended a new one-drug lethal injection method to kill quickly and “minimize the risk of pain or suffering.”

The committee, formed by the Constitution Project long before the Lockett execution, urged states to administer an overdose of one anesthetic or barbiturate to cause death – the same method used in doctor-assisted suicides. (To read the report, click here.)

This method would replace a three-drug lethal injection protocol currently used by most states that employ the death penalty. . . [Full text]

Pre-signing abortion forms is illegal, General Medical Council admits

Nearly 70 doctors who were found to be pre-signing abortion forms without knowing anything about the individuals involved were breaking the law, the head of the General Medical Council admitted

The Telegraph

Miranda Prynne

More than 60 doctors who pre-signed abortion forms without knowing anything about the women concerned did break the law, the head of the General Medical Council admitted last night as pressure grew on police to investigate.

Niall Dickson, chief executive and registrar of the GMC, said the 67 physicians were acting “against the law” but insisted no patients had come to harm as a result.

He claimed the practice of pre-signing the forms had become widespread but was “unacceptable” and vowed to “bring this unlawful and unacceptable practice to an end”. . . [Full text]

Polish “Family” Hospital Doing Abortions Sues Pro-Life Activists Exposing Them

Life News

Natalie Dueholm

A few months ago, the management of a private Polish hospital threatened legal action against a pro-life midwife.  Recently, the representatives of the same medical facility have gone to court to sue two pro-life activists.

In February 2014, Agata Rejman, the midwife working at the Specialist Hospital Pro-Familia in Rzeszów, got a threatening letter after she publicly discussed abortions performed at the medical facility.  In the letter, hospital manager Radosław Skiba alleged that she had damaged the image and reputation of the clinic.  He demanded retraction of “false statements”, most importantly regarding “killing children”.  Skiba also demanded that she pay 50,000 złotych (approximately $17,000) for a children’s hospice.  Finally, the letter threatened legal action if Rejman refused to comply.

Now similar allegations have been leveled against Jacek Kotula, 48, and Przemysław Sycz, 35, pro-life activists from The Right to Life Foundation (Fundacja PRO- Prawo do życia: www.STOPABORCJI.PL ).  In April, the case against the two men began. . . [Full text]

Doctors who oppose morning-after pill on conscience grounds face qualifications bar

Guidelines confirm that doctors and nurses who oppose controversial emergency contraception on ‘moral or religious’ grounds cannot receive key specialist qualifications

The Telegraph

John Bingham

Doctors and nurses who object to providing controversial emergency contraception on moral or religious grounds are being barred from specialist professional qualifications under official guidelines.

They class Roman Catholics and others motivated by pro-life beliefs as “ineligible” for important qualifications provided by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) even if they complete the training programme.

It led to accusations that the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, a branch of the RCOG, is unfairly discriminating against medical staff who act on grounds of conscience. [Full Text]

American veterans dying while on secret wait list: a question of integrity

CNN has reported that at least 40 American veterans at the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care system have died because they did not receive timely medical care.  The report exposes the duplicitous practice of maintaining a “secret” list of patients with actual wait times, and an “official” wait list used to make it appear that all veterans are receiving treatment within 14 to 30 days.  In reality, about 1,400 to 1,600 veterans have been waiting months for treatment.  According to a physician interviewed by CNN and emails obtained by the news agency, staff at Phoenix Veterans Affairs were aware that the practice is unethical.   The physician interviewed described them as “frustrated” and “upset,” but afraid to “speak out or say anything”  because they know they will be fired if they do. [CNN]