Dr. Deirdre Collins:

I might start with the question about conscientious objection because we did not get an opportunity to answer members’ questions earlier. It is a clearcut answer that is under legislation. The Medical Council has a very clear guideline covering exactly the questions the Deputy asked about. In fact, it has a new set of guidelines that will be operational from January 2024, with an entire section that covers all the aspects that were mentioned earlier. It is quite straightforward. A doctor has to operate under the Medical Council guidelines, which recognise the right to conscientious objection and give instructions as to how that will play out for the doctor-patient relationship in terms of making the patient aware if you have an objection and ensuring they will have continuity of care and the transference of their information. I will not go through it all but it is all available to read.

I will ask Dr. Quinlan to answer the questions the Deputy raised about the clear concerns where someone feels like a burden and the patient's wishes versus those of the family. This all comes back to our comments about safeguarding.