As medical technology advances and the values at the heart of our society change, health professionals can often find their own values clashing with the demands of clinical specialties and employers. Whether that is being involved with abortions, new fertility technologies, or end of life care decisions, we may all, regardless of faith or other beliefs and values, find ourselves asking 'should I really be doing this?'

Freedom of conscience has long been a cherished value in our culture and our health professions, but it is increasingly coming under attack. We are told we should do whatever the patient needs, whatever our personal ethical and conscience problems may be.

Today, I am talking with Melody Redman and Mark Pickering about this increasingly fraught topic, and looking at why conscience matters, how we develop and inform our conscience and how we practically and thoughtfully live and work with our colleagues, patients and leaders in line with our values and without violating our consciences.

Resources:

• CMF File 39 - the doctor's conscience
• CMF Blogs on conscience issues
• A Guide to Christianity for NHS employers
• Religion, morality, ethics, and war [for reflections on 'moral injury']
• GMC - GMC Personal beliefs and medical practice
• NMC - Conscientious objection by nurses, midwives and nursing associates

Support the show