provision of any care for those patients, apart from that which they are required to perform under section 4(2). The appellant employers argue for an interpretation in between the other authorised by this begins with the administration two. “Treatment Act” of the drugs and ends with the of the products of conception “expulsion foetus, placenta and membrane, from the the conscience – womb”. So clause does not cover making bookings or aftercare for patients who have undergone a termination. Nor does it cover fetching the drug before it is is limited to direct participation administered. “Participating” in the treatment involved. It does not cover administrative and managerial tasks, such as allocating ward resources and assigning staff. Nor does it cover supervisory duties which are concerned with ensuring that general nursing care of an appropriate standard is provided to women undergoing a termination. Discussion This is, as already stated, a pure question of statutory construction. Section 4(1) of the 1967 Act refers to authorised by this “treatment Act” but section 1(1) does not in so many words refer to at all. “treatment” Nevertheless, the section is headed termination of “Medical pregnancy”. Section 1(1) makes lawful the termination of a pregnancy by a registered medical practitioner in certain circumstances. Section 1(4)
provision of any care for those patients, apart from that which they are required to perform under section 4(2). The appellant employers argue for an interpretation in between the other two. “Treatment authorised by this Act” begins with the administration of the drugs and ends with the “expulsion of the products of conception – foetus, placenta and membrane, from the womb”. So the conscience clause does not cover making bookings or aftercare for patients who have undergone a termination. Nor does it cover fetching the drug before it is administered. “Participating” is limited to direct participation in the treatment involved. It does not cover administrative and managerial tasks, such as allocating ward resources and assigning staff. Nor does it cover supervisory duties which are concerned with ensuring that general nursing care of an appropriate standard is provided to women undergoing a termination. Discussion This is, as already stated, a pure question of statutory construction. Section 4(1) of the 1967 Act refers to “treatment authorised by this Act” but section 1(1) does not in so many words refer to “treatment” at all. Nevertheless, the section is headed “Medical termination of pregnancy”. Section 1(1) makes lawful the termination of a pregnancy by a registered medical practitioner in certain circumstances. Section 1(4)