§ 60. Mr. Houghtonasked the Minister of Health to what extent medical treatment and advice to patients in hospital is governed by the religious convictions of nursing or other hospital staff.
§ Mr. PowellNot in practice at all.
§ Mr. HoughtonHas the right hon. Gentleman read the judgment of Mr. Justice Havers of 14th July when, giving judgment for the defendant, Mr. Lindsay Morgan Park of Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham, he said that among the reasons accepted as valid for not telling the patient of the risks of a sterilisation operation in the ward was the presence of Roman Catholic nurses who would not tolerate any action for a sterilisation operation or advice on contraceptives? What does the Minister make of his reply in view of those circumstances?
§ Mr. PowellI understand that the time for an appeal in this case has not elapsed and, therefore, I must not comment.
§ Mr. SorensenIs the Minister not aware that in certain gynaecological and maternity cases this problem arises? In those circumstances, would he agree that a patient or friends of a patient should be able to ask for a doctor or other medical officer who is not involved in this religious difficulty?
§ Mr. PowellI am satisfied that advice or treatment received by patients in the hospital service is not limited or governed by the religious persuasion of individual employees in the Service.
§ Mr. MellishIs the Minister not aware that without some of the girls with these religious convictions half the hospitals in this country would not be open at all?