Fórsa is working to ensure that conscientious objection protocols governing medical professions and abortion will be extended to non-medical clinical grades in the health service.

The union says hospital pharmacists and pregnancy counsellors should be encompassed by the protocols, even though doctors, nurses and midwives are the only grades specifically named in the context of conscientious objection in legislation adopted following last year’s referendum.

Fórsa has had a number of meetings with the HSE on the matter, as have other unions. Health service management has accepted the principle that provision must be made for the union’s members in clinical grades.

The protocols will allow clinicians to opt-out of abortion service provision if they have a conscientious objection. In line with international norms, they will instead be obliged to refer relevant cases to another clinician and/or to their line manager for re-allocation.