Trainee midwife suspended over anti-abortion views

Sara Spencer was cleared of expressing her personal beliefs inappropriately

A student midwife who was put on special leave from a placement with NHS Fife after posting her anti-abortion views on social media says she was worried her career was over before it had even begun.

Sara Spencer, 30, underwent a fitness to practice investigation and was cleared of expressing her personal beliefs inappropriately.

The mother-of-three, who is a US citizen, wants health boards to be more aware of freedom of speech rights.

NHS Fife said the matter had been handled by Edinburgh Napier University, where Ms Spencer is studying.

The 30-year-old joined a private social media group for midwives and trainees which has thousands of members and responded to a question about whether midwives might opt out of providing terminations.

She shared the official guidance on conscientious objection and that she was anti-abortion.

In one comment, Ms Spencer said: "Given that my moral beliefs include a foetus is a child and it it wrong to kill children, there is no circumstance in which I would not object to abortion."

She told BBC Scotland News: "I was really happy to engage and present my views and kind of try to explain them.

"I knew I was engaging in a very emotive topic but I don't think I was quite prepared to be pulled aside at work by my line manager a week later."

No case to answer

Her university put her on special leave from a community placement with NHS Fife and she was subject to a fitness to practice investigation.

"I felt like it brought back memories of being bullied and ostracised in grammar school," she said.

"Just three months into my training I felt like I was being told you're not welcome."

It was found that the 30-year-old had no case to answer and she was allowed to return to her studies in July.

When she returned she successfully completed a hospital placement where she said she was welcomed by staff.

Now on maternity leave, Ms Spencer hopes to return to her studies next year.

A spokesperson for Edinburgh Napier University said: "We are unable to comment on individual student circumstances.

"All midwifery students are expected to abide by the code of practice set out by the Nursing and Midwifery Council."

The Nursing and Midwifery Council's code of conduct sets out various rules that must be followed by midwives and trainees.

The code states midwives must act in the best interests of people at all times. Other rules include remaining objective and making sure that their own beliefs are not shared in an inappropriate way.

NHS Fife said the conduct of students on placement is a matter for their academic institution.