Abortion belief refusals

Summary

The requester asked for monthly statistics on staff conscientious objections to abortion under the Isle of Man Abortion Reform Act 2019 since June 2019. The Department of Health and Social Care disclosed that no objections were recorded by nursing or medical staff, but confirmed they do not hold data regarding pharmacy staff objections.

Key Facts

• The request covered the period from June 2019 to September 2020.
• The Maternity Department at Nobles Hospital confirmed zero conscientious objections among nursing and medical staff.
• The Pharmacy Department does not hold data on objections to handling abortion medicines.
• The request was processed under the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
• The response was issued on 20th October 2020.

Data Disclosed

• June 2019
• 2020-09-28
• 2020-10-20
• 1488734
• no conscientious objections

Exemptions Cited

• Section 11(3)a of the Act (Information not held)

Original Request

For each month since June 2019, how many times have staff exercised their conscientious objection rights under section 8 of the Isle of Man Abortion Reform Act 2019?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Interim Chief Executive: Kathryn Magson Freedom of Information Team Crookall House Demesne Road Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3QA

Tel: (01624) 642621 Email: dhsc@foi.gov.im Website: www.gov.im/dhsc

Our ref: 1488734 20th October 2020

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on the 28th September 2020 and states:

"For each month since June 2019, how many times have staff exercised their conscientious objection rights under section 8 of the Isle of Man Abortion Reform Act 2019?" Our response: The Maternity Department at Nobles Hospital have confirmed that there have been no conscientious objections made among the nursing or medical staff within Women Children and Families care group. The Department of Health and Social Care (“the Department”) is unable to provide the information you have requested from the Pharmacy Department as they do not hold data in relation to objections to handling abortion medicines. This is in line with section 11(3)a of the Act, as a practical refusal reason applies; namely we do not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested. Please quote the reference number 1488734 in any future communications.

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I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely