General Practitioners: Hippocratic Oath

Debate between Lord Purvis of Tweed and Baroness Jolly

Thursday 11th December 2014 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Jolly]

That is an interesting point. The Government believe that any legal change should be made by Parliament rather than by government. However, doctors may choose to opt out of providing a medical procedure if it conflicts with their personal beliefs or values. The Assisted Dying Bill makes provision for a person not to participate in anything authorised by the legislation to which they hold a conscientious objection.

[Lord Purvis of Tweed (LD)]

My Lords, while the GP contract is separate for Scotland and the modern Hippocratic oath is consistent with the ethos and the meaning of the proposals in the Assisted Dying Bill that have been debated in this House, does my noble friend the Minister agree that the principle of the oath being taken in its modern form, consistent with the duties of the General Medical Council, is a fundamental part of the service provided by doctors? Will she assure noble Lords that the ethos of the oath is a fundamental part of the training? On a wider front, could other professions that provide essential services benefit by learning and stating the principles of good professional conduct?

[Baroness Jolly]

My Lords, patients trust doctors with their lives and well-being and need to have confidence that they are competent in their field and abide by high ethical standards. Therefore, doctors must be registered with a licence to practise from the GMC.

Carers Strategy

Debate between Lord Purvis of Tweed and Baroness Jolly

Thursday 3rd July 2014 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Jolly]

Certainly there are some questionable employment practices within the care industry. I know that my right honourable friend the Secretary of State at BIS has got his eye on employment practices. I feel sure that this issue will be swept up within that.

[Lord Purvis of Tweed (LD)]

My Lords, I declare an interest as patron of the Borders Carers Centre. Many services for carers are devolved, with reserved benefits. Will my noble friend the Minister ensure in any forthcoming strategy that, in examining the interaction between devolved and reserved areas with regard to benefits and services for carers, particular attention is paid to young carers who do not need to know the constitutional niceties of devolution and reservation but need the support that is owed to them?

[Baroness Jolly]

A lot of work is being done on young carers through the provisions of the Children and Families Act. I will make sure that my noble friend’s message gets back.