Scottish Midwifery Student Suspended by NHS for Pro-Life Views Made on Facebook Comments

03.03.2025

After NHS Fife took action against her, Sara’s case was escalated to Edinburgh Napier University, which launched a Fitness to Practise investigation—a process that could determine whether she is permitted to continue her studies and future career as a midwife.

The university accused Sara of:
Bringing the profession and university into disrepute
Acting in a way “detrimental to the safety, dignity, and wellbeing” of others
Misusing social media
Failing to uphold professional conduct expectations

In reality, all she did was voice her belief—one that is held by millions of people around the world and protected under UK law.

Sara is being legally represented by Alliance Defending Freedom UK (ADF UK), a group that advocates for religious freedom and free speech.

“It’s well-known that medical professionals in the UK have a right to conscientiously object to performing an abortion,” she stated.

“As a student, I expected to be able to freely engage in discussion among my peers about the grounds for my conscientious objection, and to respectfully debate matters of medical law, ethics, and the philosophy of midwifery care – matters which lie at the heart of our profession.”

“I was shocked by NHS Fife’s response to my expression of legally protected beliefs. It is concerning that an NHS health board would be reluctant to welcome a student who holds certain beliefs regarding the significance of unborn human life.”

Her case raises serious concerns about whether pro-life healthcare professionals are being pushed out of the medical field for their beliefs.

Sara’s case is just the latest example of a disturbing trend in which pro-life students and professionals face discrimination in healthcare and education.

Despite clear legal protections for conscientious objection, NHS Fife and Edinburgh Napier University are attempting to silence and punish a student simply for expressing a view that should be respected under both medical ethics and the law.

The outcome of Sara’s case could have major consequences for other pro-life students seeking careers in midwifery, nursing, and medicine. If this attack on freedom of conscience is allowed to stand, pro-life individuals could be effectively barred from the healthcare profession.