Any law enabling euthanasia in Ireland should permit conscientious objection for healthcare workers (HCWs), says the Health Service Executive (HSE). No ethical objection to euthanasia was expressed.

Dr Siobhán Ní Bhriain, the HSE’s national clinical director for integrated care spoke to the Oireachtas ‘Assisted dying’ committee Tuesday.

Ms Ní Bhriain talked to the HSE’s internal staff counselling service about the potential impact the introduction of a euthanasia regime could have on healthcare workers.

She says the counselling service’s experience of working with staff “involved in experiences that transgress their moral or ethical codes” is that it can negatively impact on their mental health and “can lead to feelings of self-blame, shame and a reduced ability to cope with other work-related stressors”.

She added: “The psychological impact of being witness to, or making decisions relating to, assisted dying, or indeed, involvement in the painful and prolonged death of a patient, have the potential to significantly transgress an individual HCW’s core values and their psychological and emotional wellbeing.”

She says: “Conscientious objection should be enabled as part of any legislation.”