McHale Jean V
School of Law, University of Birmingham.
Br J Nurs. 2009;18(20):1262-3. doi: 10.12968/bjon.2009.18.20.45122.
This article examines to what extent nurses can at present opt out of clinical procedures on the basis of conscience in English law. It considers the current rights to opt out on the basis of conscience contained in section 4 of the Abortion Act 1967 and section 38 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. It examines how through codes of practice and guidance, there is recognition of the ability to opt out beyond theses statutes. It suggests that rather than let practice evolve to enable persons to opt out, the fundamental issues as to whether it should be a right or a privilege needs careful consideration across healthcare professions as a whole and a broader public debate.
本文探讨了目前在英国法律中，护士基于良心拒行临床程序的程度。它考量了1967年《堕胎法》第4条和1990年《人类受精与胚胎学法》第38条中目前基于良心拒行的权利。它研究了如何通过实践守则和指南，人们认识到在这些法规之外也有拒行的能力。它表明，与其让实践自行发展以使人们能够拒行，对于这究竟应是一项权利还是一种特权的根本问题，需要整个医疗行业进行审慎考虑并展开更广泛的公众辩论。
