Written question asked by Tom Clarke (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 January 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 13 January 2015 (named day). It was answered by Jane Ellison (Conservative) on Tuesday, 13 January 2015 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Abortion

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the Supreme Court decision on the Abortion Act 1967 in relation to staff of NHS Greater Glasgow and North Clyde in December 2014, if he will take steps to protect individual rights of conscience for administrative personnel in the NHS and ensure that the decisions of those who do not wish to be involved in any aspect of abortion procedures are respected; and if he will bring forward legislative proposals to clarify the legal rights of healthcare workers across the UK in relation to this issue.

Answer: The recent Supreme Court decision upholds the long standing interpretation of Section 4 of the Abortion Act that the right to object to participate in abortion treatment is limited to those staff who actually take part in treatment administered in a hospital or other approved place.

Secondary information