Christians have expressed concern over new draft guidance from the General Medical Council which addresses the role of belief in medical practice.
Christian doctors and a Catholic Bishop have suggested that the draft guidance, entitled “Personal Beliefs and Medical Practice”, could significantly undermine freedom of belief for Christian doctors.
Concerns have particularly been raised by Christian doctors that, under the draft guidance, they risk being struck off if they refuse to prescribe certain treatments that they have a conscientious objection to.
The draft guidance concedes that in some areas the law entitles doctors to exercise a conscientious objection and opt out of particular treatments, such as abortion.
It also allows doctors to opt out of providing other procedures provided that they ensure that the patient can see another doctor who does not object.
However, the guidance introduces two new exceptions to this rule. It states that doctors cannot opt out of ‘gender reassignment’ procedures, nor can they opt out of providing contraception to unmarried women if they are also happy to give married women contraception.
Doctors with a conscientious objection over these two issues could face being struck off if they do not comply.
Bishop Williams
Bishop Tom Williams, auxiliary bishop of Liverpool and Chairman of the bishops’ conference Healthcare Reference Group, has additionally warned that the new guidance could create an ‘atmosphere of fear’ for doctors which would make them afraid of expressing their religious beliefs. He said:
“The draft consultation document does not have a balanced or positive appreciation of the value of religion for patients or for the importance of requiring, and hence permitting, doctors to make conscientious ethical decisions.
“Both religion and conscientious objection seem to be treated as problems to be minimised and circumscribed as much as possible. However, this attitude is incompatible with respect for the religious beliefs of patients and with a commitment to their best interests.”
Dr Richard Scott
Critics of the guidance have noted that the GMC is currently pursuing an investigation into Dr Richard Scott, a Christian GP from Margate, Kent, after he shared his faith with a patient during a consultation.
Dr Scott has been issued with an official warning from the GMC and faces the possibility of being struck off, after 23 years of practice.
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Christian Concern: Religious Freedom