TWO Catholic midwives who lost a legal bid challenging a health board's decision that they were not entitled to refuse to delegate, supervise or support staff involved in abortion procedures have launched an appeal.

Mary Doogan, 57, and Concepta Wood, 51, said that, as conscientious objectors, they are entitled to refuse to oversee staff taking part in abortions or providing care to patients during the process.

They argued that being required to supervise staff involved in abortions is a violation of their human rights and took their case against NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

They said the health board decision breached their rights under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights, guaranteeing the right to freedom of religion.

In February, a judge ruled the midwives did not have direct involvement in the procedure to which they object.

But the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children said yesterday the midwives were appealing.

The costs of the Glasgow midwives' legal action are being underwritten by the society, which said that a preliminary hearing in the appeal will take place at the Court of Session on July 27, with a further hearing expected early next year.

In her earlier judgment, Lady Smith said it was not shown that their Article 9 rights were being interfered with. She said the midwives had agreed to take up the roles of labour ward co-ordinators.