Or should GP surgery's not be allowed to advertise themselves as 'pro-life'?

[Clownwithafrown]

I'm job hunting and came across an ad for a medical receptionist at a GP surgery. I wasn't sure where exactly this particular surgery was so googled it and this statement was on the home page; 'The Doctors here at xxxx Surgery are committed to a 'pro-life' policy. This means that the Doctors value each individual’s 'life' from conception to natural death.'

I'm not reading that wrong am I, they are stating that they're anti abortion aren't they? Surely that shouldn't be allowed at an NHS practice should it? I'm a bit gobsmacked that it's blatantly there on the home page, literally the first thing you see when you click on the site. And it clearly means all the doctors, I mean obviously people don't have to register with that surgery but for there to be no options for those who already are registered just doesn't seem right to me. Does anyone know if this is actually allowed?

Paranoid ? Abortion rights are not set in stone. Look at the US. You're very naive if you think there aren't HCPs out there who will do all they can to block access to abortion. Someone up thread said they have worked with plenty !

Well in this instance surely it's better for patients to be aware up front?

But what I mean by there being no such thing as "neutral healthcare" - what I mean is that the very definition of "healthcare" is highly political and constantly evolving (fast, as develments in biotech are accelerating). Far better to allow individuals to seek like minded practitioners. Isn't that the liberal ideal?

If you seriously believe prescribing contraception pills and IUDs which prevents implantation or MAP are "ending human life' you are a forced birther.

If you read my posts properly you will see I quite clearly say individuals may be accommodated within a practice where other practitioners provide the services and that area health authorities/trusts should not be procuring services from partnerships which do not provide all of those services from within that practice.

Incidentally, blocking and withholding access to psychiatric, diabetic and vaccination services can also result in death and all have their opponents (including in the NHS).

Any GP practice refusing to provide vaccinations would be on the front page of the tabloids but the NHS has always regarded women's health as some kind of optional bolt on rather than part of its core services. There is still no shortage of HCPs who try to restrict women's access reproductive services within existing practices without entire practices being allowed to opt out.

As PP say - when you are sat on the unsackable six figure salary its easy to play "ethics' with women's lives.

Incidentally comparing basic reproductive rights to euthanasia is a stock forced birther tactic to force equivalence between adult consenting humans with fertliseds eggs. Don't fall for it.

I would absolutely love to be with a pro-life GP surgery. I think it’s great that they advertise it, so everyone knows where they stand. Wonderful!

This sounds odd, to have a collective message like that on their website

If it was me, I'd be registering as a patient elsewhere, who knows what else this 'pro-life' approach will encompass

But then I'm lucky living in suburbia with other options, not so much if it was a rural practice with not another GP in sight for miles...

Doctors are very specifically allowed to withdraw from providing abortion services under the law. There is no need to conflate this with women's health as it is one part of it. They are not refusing to provide health care to women.
Do you agree they should be allowed to?
And if so how?

I would absolutely prefer a pro-life GP surgery.

Or which surgery to register with, if you live there and feel strongly about being prolife.

Practices are businesses contracting to provide services in primary health care. A key part of those contracted services include women's reproductive services.

There should be no opt out for businesses being paid to provide services in women's health to the NHS. If individual HCPs want to opt out and specialise in a different area of primary health then fine but the business should also be employing people to do the damned job the tax payer is paying for.

The notion that women can simply nip over to another surgery is deluded - its hard to get into a practice at all in many areas without the NHS contracting incomplete services in some areas.

So I take it from your response that GPs should not be allowed to be pro life and still practice medicine. So you would amend the 67 Act and GMC guidelines.
That's good to know.
If they bring in assisted dying, will all doctors contracted to the NHS be obliged to provide the service irrespective of their belief?

Including women who were offered abortions for Downs Syndrome up to birth.

I think the feeling pressured thing is a fair point. It is such an important decision that I think women have to be helped to make the decision that is right for them. Pressure also comes from families and partners to either have or not have an abortion. Through all of that women have to negotiate a path that is right for them.

You're very naive if you think there aren't HCPs out there who will do all they can to block access to abortion. Someone up thread said they have worked with plenty

That was me, and for clarity I wrote "some" rather than "plenty" - as in while it wasn't a majority it wasn't an insignificane number either

Interestingly they too claimed to signpost elsewhere while actually doing everything they could to delay, which is why your point about the naivety around this is valid

It's all very well folk repeating "they'll signpost!!" like some kind of mantra, but experience teaches that it isn't always as simple as this - and all because some expect to impose the consequences of their personal beliefs on others

Exactly. People talk as if we have no human rights!! What we trained to heal and harm no one suddenly because people pay taxes they think it's ok to tell us we have to assist people to die now. That's not a doctors job, quite the opposite in fac. If euthanasia came in it would be authorised by government and they can create a role for that. It's not a doctor role.

Being offered and being pressured are entirely different things.

And making medical setting a place where women are intimidated out of asking for help because the providers have shared their personal prejudices is unacceptable.

For clarity. I don't think HCPs should be forced to do anything they consider unethical. But I do think they should be forced to ensure that anyone can access legal medical care, even if they don't provide it themselves.

That is the current legal and GMC guidance.
I'm not sure if the website was just clumsily worded maybe OP can clarify with them?

I take it from your response that you struggle with reading comprehension or are a forced birther deliberately trying to conflate businesses providing services with individuals.

HCPs can do what they like but the business should provide the services we are all paying for and which they are contracted to provide.

Well the ToP services are sign posted to by all GPs - mostly to clinics. HCPs aren't under obligation to do the bidding of patients no matter what, they work within their role and competences. Termination of pregnancy is a situation outside of normal healthcare which is provided for either by Gps signposting or if late/ medically indicated by Obs & Gynae cons.

These misogynistic, medieval, shitty attitudes have no place in the NHS. Conscientious objection is bull and shouldn’t be allowed. You’ve no business being in a medical profession with views like this. Go and find another job where your shitty views don’t affect women.

No you're wrong , it's the case that doctors don't have to have a part in termination but they have to provide contact for the service. That's how it is, like it or not.

Service provision is the responsibility of the govt and provider. Not everyone agrees with it or at least wants to be part of it.

I know that’s how it is, don’t patronise me. I’m not wrong, it’s my opinion. Go into another career if you don’t agree with such a fundamental right for women.

get another job then.

Are you aware that an abortion is basically murdering the most vulnerable and unable to protect themselves and not all doctors want to have anything to do with that