367 maternity staff sign pro-life petition
Nurses group refusing to participate in abortions
A GROUP of pro-life midwives and nurses collected 367 signatures expressing concern over proposed abortion legislation.
The group said if women opt for a surgical termination, they will be asked to provide the pre and postoperative care, which they object to.
The petition by Midwives And Nurses For Life states the “end of life of a foetus is morally objectionable”.
It adds that “participation includes any supervision, delegation, planning or supporting of staff involved in termination of pregnancy”.
The group states although the proposed legislation provides for freedom on conscience, it states the workers involved must refer the patient on to another staff member, which they see as participation.
Mary Fitzgibbon, Fiona Mchugh and Margaret Mcgovern spoke yesterday about the lack of negotiation from the Government with those “who will be at the coalface” when legislation is implemented.
Ms Mchugh said: “As with any change, there has to be discussion. We just feel we’ve been ignored during the whole process as we have repeatedly asked how this is going to work in practice in an already overstretched healthcare service.”
The Midwives And Nurses For Life members added they made repeated attempts to contact Health Minister Simon Harris to no reply.
The Department of Health said: “Section 23 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018 states where he/she has a conscientious objection, a medical practitioner, nurse or midwife shall not be obliged to carry out or to participate in carrying out a termination of pregnancy.”