Memorandum 48
Submission from Sally Carson, Registered
General Nurse
Please take time to note my comments, as a Registered
General Nurse and trained midwife, on the inquiry on Nurses performing
surgical abortions.
Firstly, I do not think that the consultation
should have been with a few Nurses who are working in Women's
hospitals, or clinics.
The wider field of Nurses, through a questionnaire,
after pros and cons had been circulated, would have been a better
estimate of our views.
There are, of course, ethical and moral considerations,
and a need for the Nurse's role to continue as a supporting role,
with a positive image. Terminating life has, and is, a negative
image.
Surgical abortion is a dangerous procedure and
should only be within a doctor's remit. It does not have the approval
of the BMA or most doctors.
The extra training will take staff and money,
from an already finically embarrassed NHS, leaving less finance
for the usual upgrading and expansion of nurse skills. (I know
for a fact that many NHS post- graduate faculties can not meet
the request for even IV courses and Advanced Life Support courses).
For many this will be contrary to their personal
code of practice, "To do no harm" and their years of
nurturing, caring and maintaining life.
This will have pyschological and/or emotional
affect, not only from the realisation that they have terminated
an innocent human life, but by the knowledge of the traumatic
knock-on, long term affect, on their client. especiaaly if there
are complications, which is one reason why many Doctors are refusing
to perform abortions.
September 2007
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