Last May, the Eighth Amendment to the Irish constitution, which protected the rights of the unborn, was overturned via national referendum. In December, the Irish Parliament passed a law making abortions legal. And since that time, great pressure has been put upon medical professionals in Ireland. For example, the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin has some positions to fill — but if you have any qualms with providing abortions, don’t even think about applying.
The hospital is looking for a consultant anesthesiologist and obstetrician gynecologist. Some of the duties they will have to perform include teaching, administration, and management duties which, according to the ad seen in the tweet below, “as of 2019 includes elective terminations of pregnancy services and the post-holders will be expected to contribute to this new service as part of their practice plan.”
Those who in conscience oppose abortion need not apply??? @SimonHarrisTD @DrVBMK pic.twitter.com/rmLuog3EkM
— Nurses & Midwives 4Life Ireland (@Nurses4lifeIrl) February 15, 2019
Others have noted that the advertisement indicates that doctors and nurses on staff are apparently unwilling to do the procedure themselves. Other GPs around the country also seem unwilling to perform the procedure. Professor Stephen Cusack tweeted that the ad was “probably illegal.” Peter Lynas, Director of the Evangelical Alliance in Northern Ireland, tweeted: “This advert makes pretty clear those with a conscientious objection should not apply – and note the irony of the moto – life glorious life. Doubtful it is legal. No doubt it is wrong.”
READ: Pro-life Muslim doctors may thwart Ireland’s pro-abortion agenda
It is not just anti-abortion doctors, it’s important to note. You could be perfectly pro choice, have voted yes, but simply be uncomfortable performing elective abortions yourself. Lots of medics fall into that category. End result is fewer good doctors in maternal medicine. https://t.co/aJInp3dEMC
— John McGuirk (@john_mcguirk) February 18, 2019
Speaking to the Irish Independent, a spokesman for the National Maternity Hospital said, “These particular additional posts are being funded specifically from a financial allocation to the hospital from the HSE for the provision of termination of pregnancy services and are for individuals willing to contribute to the provision of these services.” Therefore, according to the Irish Times, the position could not be open to anyone opposed to performing abortions.
The conscientious objection guidelines for the hospital’s current staff, however, remain in place… for now.
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