Resignation threat over abortion

Press, 31 August 1977, Page 12

Resignation threat over abortion

PA New Plymouth. A part-time specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology at Stratford Hospital is threatening to resign for ethical reasons if he is ordered to perform an abortion under new Government legislation. He is Dr Ross Gordon, a brother of Dr Graham Gordon, chairman of the New Zealand Medical Association council, and of the Minister of Labour (Mr Gordon). “The report of the Royal Commission on contraception, sterilisation and abortion, and the bill based on it as introduced into Parliament, could have serious implications for obstetrical and gynaecological specialists employed by hospital boards,” Dr Ross Gordon said in an interview. Page 21 of the comission’s report said that if a request tor an abortion were granted, a panel should refer the woman to a clinic or a public or private hospital for the operation

“Clause 37 (sub-clause he bill provides that if the two doctors on

the panel agree that an abortion is justified under that section, they shall issue a certificate authoririp., rh e abortion,” said Dr Gordon. ‘ 1 lilt implications are that once approval is given, the patient is legally entitled to demand an abortion at a public hospital or in theory, at a hospital of her choice. “It has always been a mainstay of medical practice and ethics that no doctor can be ordered to perform any operation. The final decision belongs to the doctor. If any pressure is brought to bear on doctors to operate on the decision of a panel, it will cause widespread dissatisfaction in the profession,” Dr Gordon said. “1 understand that all other active obstetrical and gynaecological specialists in Taranaki are of the same opinion. “Any attempt to request me to operate under these conditions would bring my immediate resignation from Taranaki Hospital board employment,” Dr Gordon said.