AS a former midwife with Greater Glasgow Health Board, my conscientious objection to not participate in termination of pregnancy, which was carried out regularly in a labour ward for what is known as fetal abnormality, was well-known to the management team, who nevertheless chose to promote me as a labour ward coordinator.
My right to freedom of conscience and my integrity as a midwife were respected by the nursing officer who promoted me, and although she did not share my views, my beliefs were able to be accommodated without any detriment to the care of the women there.
So what's changed in Greater Glasgow Health Board? Two experienced midwives who have dedicated their professional career to caring for mothers and babies have been pursued over many years at taxpayers' expense, eventually to the UK Supreme Court, over a situation that could have been handled with the co-operation, sensitivity and flexibility of colleagues and management, a practice that had gone on for many years ("Warning midwives ruling will force out anti-abortion staff", The Herald, December 18).
Greater Glasgow Health Board has treated these midwives appallingly and have failed to respect their deeply-held conscientious beliefs and integrity. The Royal College of Midwives similarly has failed in its duty to support its members.
Freedom of conscience and expression is a right of all. A dangerous precedent has been set.
Frances Brown,
32 Claremount Avenue,
Giffnock.
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