BMA Conference Votes Down Christian Doctors’ Prayer Demand

Doctors have voted down a Christian motion at the BMA conference that would have given carte blanche for religious medical practitioners to “share their faith” without restraint.

Commenting on the decision, Terry Sanderson, President of the National Secular Society, said:

“The BMA conference has been very sensible in refusing to give this unfettered permission to religious doctors to offer prayers to patients. The restrictions are there for a very important reason – to protect patients from embarrassment, irritation and possible conflict with their doctor. If patients want to raise the issue with their doctor or nurse, that is a different matter, but the initiative should rest entirely with the patient.” 

 Mr Sanderson said that the NHS was spending more than £40 million a year on hospital chaplains whose job was to pray and offer spiritual comfort to patients. “Sick people want doctors to take care of their physical health and a clergyman to take care of their spiritual health. Doctors and nurses have enough to do without burdening themselves with the need to pray with patients.”