Student midwife banned over her pro-life views demands apology from university
A midwifery student banned from a hospital placement over her pro-life views has demanded an apology from university bosses.
Julia Rynkiewicz, 24, an undergraduate at the University of Nottingham, faced expulsion from her degree after lecturers raised concerns about her fitness to practise. In what is believed to be the first case of its kind – with potentially far-reaching implications for freedom of speech on campuses – she was banned from completing a hospital placement and faced a fitness to practise hearing last Monday.
Last week, university officials reversed their decision and dismissed the case against her.
As a result of the investigation, Ms Rynkiewicz will graduate a year late. She claimed she suffered undue
“stress” and a lack of financial support. She has now threatened to take legal action against the university and issued a formal complaint.
Ms Rynkiewicz, a Catholic from south-east London, said she would like an apology “as a matter of justice”.
“I’m willing to take this as far as necessary,” she added. “Being pro-life isn’t incompatible with being a midwife.”
If her complaint is not remedied, she could take her case to the ombudsman and then to court. Ms Rynkiewicz was the president of Nottingham Students for Life, a pro-life society originally rejected by the university societies council, before the decision was overturned following the threat of legal action.
Ms Rynkiewicz promoted the society at a freshers’ fair in September last year. Days later, she received a letter stating that a concern had been raised about her professional behaviour.
She was alleged to have provided reproductive health advice without the support of a registered midwife, and to have expressed personal beliefs that may create the perception of an impact on patient care. Health professionals are allowed to have personal beliefs regarding reproductive health.
A University of Nottingham spokesman said: “All universities take fitness to practise considerations extremely seriously … [an] investigation was held to examine a number of allegations concerning a student midwife.
“The student’s complaint will be carefully considered.”