This roundtable will explore why healthcare professionals should be able to withdraw from participation in certain work-related activities when professionals working in other areas (for example marriage registrars and social workers) cannot. Is there something distinctive about healthcare, or about the interventions where conscientious objection applies, that justifies the treatment of doctors and other healthcare professionals as a ‘special case’ in this regard?

 

Programme

9:00 Introduction, Dr Stephen Smith (Cardiff)

9:15 Session 1

Professor John Coggon (Bristol), ‘Persuasion, paternalism, and “public health politicking”: A critique of evolutions in public health promotion and autonomy’.

Caroline Roberts (Bristol), ‘Conscientious objection claims under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights: What is the European Court of Human Rights’ approach?’

Roundtable discussion.

 

10:30 Tea and Coffee

 

11:00 Session 2

Dr Alberto Giublini (Oxford), ‘Is health care a special case which warrants a right to conscientious objection?’.

Dr Toni Saad (Cardiff and Vale University Health Board), ‘Conscientious objection: The tip of the iceberg of practical reason’.

Roundtable discussion.

 

12:15 Themes and Reflections, Professor Bobbie Farsides (Brighton and Sussex Medical School).

 

12.30 Lunch

 

13:45 Session 3

Dr Christina Lamb (Alberta), ‘Why health care professionals have a right to make conscientious objections in health care practice’.

Dr Christopher Cowley (Dublin), ‘Conscientious objection in healthcare and in social work: A comparative analysis’.

Roundtable discussion

 

15:00 Tea and Coffee

 

15:15 Session 4

Parallel small group discussions: ‘The nature of professional conscience – what’s special about healthcare?’

Roundtable discussion.

 

16:30 Final Reflections, Bobbie Farsides and John Coggon.