CV NEWS FEED // After student-midwife Sara Spencer was temporarily suspended and investigated for expressing her objection to abortion in an online group for midwives, she stated that she wished health boards in Scotland had greater awareness of free-speech rights.
In the context of a Facebook discussion, Sara said:
(1) that a fetus is a child
(2) that k!lling children is wrong
(3) and thus she objects to abort!on.NHS Fife SUSPENDED her from her training placement.
Scotland is in a free speech CRISIS
pic.twitter.com/86Aj6gkCG0
— Lois McLatchie Miller (@LoisMcLatch) March 3, 2025
The BBC reported that Spencer, a United States citizen, was placed on special leave from her placement with the National Health Service (NHS) in Fife, Scotland, by her college, Edinburgh Napier University. This followed her online expression of pro-life views, which led to a fitness-to-practice investigation.
Spencer had shared information about conscientious objection to abortion with fellow midwives and commented, “Given that my moral beliefs include [that] a fetus is a child and it is wrong to kill children, there is no circumstance in which I would not object to abortion.”
After the investigation, Spencer was cleared of any wrongdoing regarding inappropriate online expression and was allowed to resume her studies. She has since been placed in a hospital setting and will continue her training after her current maternity leave.
Reflecting on her experience, she told the BBC, “I was really happy to engage and present my views and 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.”
In a video interview with the BBC, Spencer added that she believes those with protected beliefs should receive greater safeguards.
She added, “I think health boards throughout the UK could benefit from more awareness of freedom of speech rights and the guidance provided by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.”
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