HC Deb 30 June 1975 vol 894 cc280-1W
Mr. Lomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will confirm that any health service worker, of whatever rank, who refuses to participate in abortion operations, will not jeopardise his or her position or application for appointment to any position inside the National Health Service.

Dr. Owen

Section 4 of the Abortion Act 1967 gives any person the center to establish a conscientious objection to participating in treatment for termination of pregnancy—except where such treatment is necessary to save the life or to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman. It would therefore be unlawful to attempt to deprive any person of his position because he refused to participate in such therapeutic abortions.

As regards applications for appointments, health authorities have a duty to provide a full range of services to patients under the NHS. Where therefore, in a locality, consultants have exercised their centers not to participate in abortions it may on occasions be necessary for the appointments committee to he satisfied that a new appointee is professionally prepared to participate in the full range of duties including providing treatment for termination of pregnancy under the Abortion Act.

Mr. Lomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will publish in the Official Report the text of the letter sent by Dr. Henry Yellowlees, the Chief Medical Officer in her Department, to regional medical officers concerning the performing of abortions.

Dr. Owen

Copies have been placed in the Library of the House, and I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will announce her decisions about the renewal of approvals under the Abortion Act 1967 which expire on 30th June.

Dr. Owen

Yes. Approval of the Avenue Clinic, Hove, has been renewed until 31st December 1975. The number of beds approved for use for abortion has been reduced and the clinic is no longer mainly involved in abortion.

Approval has been renewed until 31st December 1975 for the following nursing homes which have agreed to quote in advance to all patients a fee for total care—

  • Woodthorpe Private Nursing Home, Nottingham.
  • Beechwood Private Clinic, Sheffield.
  • Elstree Nursing Home, Shenley, Herts.
  • Robert Nursing Home, Birmingham.
  • Leigham Private Clinic, London, S.W.16.
  • Fallodon Private Nursing Home, Leeds.
  • Gables Nursing Home, Aylesbury.

Approval has been renewed until 30th September 1975 for the following nursing homes which have not yet agreed to quote such a fee:

  • Avenue Clinic, London, N.W.8.
  • Victoria House, Rochester, Kent.
  • Richmond Private Clinic and Nursing Home, East Twickenham.
  • Coniston House, London, W.5.
  • Parkside Clinic, New Barnet.
  • Raleigh Nursing Home, London, S.W.2.
  • The Nursing Home, 27 Welbeck Street, London, W.1.
  • The Garden Clinic, London, N.W.1.

Approval has been renewed until 31st July 1975 for the following nursing homes in order that inquiries which have begun may be completed.

  • Manstone Nursing Home, London, N.W.2.
  • New Cross Nursing Home, London, S.E.14.
  • Park View Clinic, London, W.5.
  • London Private Nursing Home, London, W.1.

Forward to