The Wardman Wire

The BMA annual conference dealt with a string of ethical issues this morning. The chair of their ethics committee was given the chance to speak just before each vote was taken, and each vote happened to take the same line as he did, which was interesting. Here are the motions:

That this Meeting:
(i) recognises that the NHS is committed to providing spiritual care for patients;
(ii) notes the position on inappropriate discussion of faith matters in GMC Guidance on Personal Beliefs and Medical Practice;
(iii) while welcoming the constructive and necessary advice in the document “Religion or belief”, is concerned that some paragraphs suggest that any discussion of spiritual matters with patients or colleagues could lead to disciplinary action;
(iv) believes that offering to pray for a patient should not be grounds for suspension;
(v) calls on Health Departments to allow appropriate consensual discussion of spiritual matters within the NHS, when done with respect for the views and sensitivities of individuals.

The conference voted for 1 and 2, against 3, 4, 5, with a clear majority in each case. The mood seemed to be that prayer was the job of the ’spiritual professionals’, not medical staff.

The conference also voted against this motion:

That this Meeting: believes that the proposed use of TV advertising for abortion services will continue to send the wrong message to young women; namely that sex is a values-free activity and that consequences have a quick medical fix. We call upon the BMA to:
(i) oppose TV advertising for abortion;
(ii) continue to support values-based education on sex and relationships

and against this one:

That this Meeting would support a change in legislation to:
(i) ensure that those accompanying the patient at an assisted death, but not actively participating, will not be subject to criminal prosecution;
(ii) allow the choice of an assisted death by patients who are terminally ill and who have mental capacity.

It was pointed out during the debate that the official position of the BMA is opposed to euthanasia.

It doesn’t look like anyone was Twittering from the conference at the time. Maybe devices were banned?

And well done to the BMA for live video streaming of the debates.