In this roundtable we will explore the ‘how’ of accommodating conscience in healthcare and consider the advantages, disadvantages, and practical considerations associated with providing for conscientious objection in law and/or professional guidance. Who should be responsible for regulating/protecting conscientious objection? What form should regulation/protection take? Does existing law strike the right balance between protecting/regulating conscience? What is the proper role of (i) legislation and (ii) professional guidance in regulating/permitting conscientious objection?

 

Programme

9:30 Introduction, Professor Sara Fovargue (Lancaster).

9.45 Session 1

Sara Fovargue, ‘The current protection of conscientious objection in health care practice in the UK’.

Dr Peter West-Oram (Brighton and Sussex Medical School), ‘Thinking about “how”: Just, ethical conditions for conscientious objection in health care’.

Roundtable Discussion

11.15 Coffee

11.30 Session 2

Dr Lucy Frith, (Liverpool), ‘What are we conscientiously objecting to?’

Dr Barry Lyons (Dublin), ‘Regulating conscientious objection’.

Roundtable Discussion

12.30 Themes and reflection, Professor Margot Brazier (Manchester) andProfessor Bobbie Farsides (Brighton and Sussex Medical School).

12.45 Lunch

1.30 Session 3

Dr Sheelagh McGuinness (Bristol), ‘Abortion, conscience, and jurisdiction’. 

Professor Ian Leigh (Durham), ‘Legal techniques for balancing conscientious objection and health care provision’.

Roundtable Discussion

2.30 Tea and coffee

2.45 Session 4

Small breakout groups

Roundtable Discussion

4.15 Final reflections, Margot Brazier and Bobbie Farsides.