A MEDICAL clinic in Torquay has defended one of its general practitioners deciding to discontinue their involvement in services relating to reproductive health.<\/p>\n
Torquay Medical Health and Wellness Clinic alerted patients of changes to Dr Hong Nguyen\u2019s appointments via a notice in the Geelong Road clinic, which quickly circulated on social media. <\/p>\n
The notice said Dr Hong would no longer be involved in prescribing contraception, sterilisation referrals or consultations for abortions, IVF or vasectomies. <\/p>\n
But the clinic fears \u201cmisleading information\u201d about the practice\u2019s stance on women\u2019s health is being spread online, with outraged community members declaring their intentions to boycott its services.<\/p>\n
Tori Edmonds, personal assistant to Geelong Medical and Health Group\u2019s general manager, said Dr Hong was the only GP at the practice who conscientiously objected to providing the services, and that the clinic could accommodate all patients via consultations with its other GPs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to clear up this misinformation by stating we do support women\u2019s health and the rights of women to make their own health decisions,\u201d the clinic said in a statement.<\/p>\n
According to the Australian Medical Association (AMA), it is acceptable for a doctor to refuse to provide or to participate in certain medical treatments or procedures based on a conscientious objection.<\/p>\n
The AMA also states a conscientious objection is based on sincerely held beliefs and moral concerns, not self-interest or discrimination.<\/p>\n
But some local MPs are worried these decisions will become more frequent if the Religious Freedom Bill passes. <\/p>\n
While the clinic said Dr Hong\u2019s decision was not religiously motivated, Member for Western Victoria Andy Meddick said he believed religiously motivated attitudes were being \u201cemboldened\u201d by the bill.<\/p>\n
\u201cReligious decisions have no place in reproductive healthcare. Nobody should be turned back, embarrassed or shamed when they go to see their doctor \u2014 often at the most vulnerable time.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf this bill passes, GPs will not only be able to conscientiously object, but they may also refuse to refer patients. This could cost lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
In its statement, the clinic said \u201cour community has many different religions, different personal views on culture, conduct (and) political opinion from one side to the other\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe try to navigate this by a diverse team which enables the freedom of choice to our patients for their GP,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman said the Department of Health and Human Services would pursue the matter with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A MEDICAL clinic in Torquay has defended one of its general practitioners deciding to discontinue their involvement in services relating to reproductive health. Torquay Medical Health and Wellness Clinic alerted patients of changes to Dr Hong Nguyen\u2019s appointments via a notice in the Geelong Road clinic, which quickly circulated on social media. The notice said […]<\/p>\n