Radiographers have been urged to resist conducting age tests on migrants amid concerns over resource allocation and potential harm to patients, sparking debate over the efficacy and ethics of such practices. Here’s the full story.
Dystopian Descent
As the UK’s descent into a dystopian nightmare continues apace, an unexpected new front has opened up in the government’s seemingly endless war against asylum seekers.
Unusual Rebels
Incredibly, this latest thorn in the government’s side comes not from so-called “lefty lawyers” or human rights groups but from a much more unusual source: radiographers.
Medical Outcry
The government had planned to use X-rays and MRI scans to determine the age of asylum seekers, but this backfired after there was an outcry from the medical community.
Undue Strain
Radiographers tasked with conducting these tests are urged at their Society of Radiographers conference to reject such requests, citing concerns that they will place undue strain on an already overburdened and underfunded NHS.
Legality and Ethically Questionable
Delegates at the Society of Radiographers’ conference are poised to challenge the legality and ethics of age testing laws.
Unjustifiable
They argue that diverting medical resources to conduct these tests is unjustifiable, particularly when NHS waiting times are already a pressing concern.
“Unacceptably Long Times”
Richard Evans, Chief Executive of the Society, told the Independent, “When hundreds of thousands of people are waiting unacceptably long times for MRI scans, it’s completely unjustifiable to take up machine time to work out the age of migrants.”
“Fall Outside the Terms”
He continued, “Conducting these scans falls outside the terms of the contract of a clinical radiographer. This means that any radiographer conducting the scans would have to agree to it voluntarily and be paid separately.”
Feeling Coerced
Evans was particularly blunt in his rejection of the government’s plan, stating, “No radiographer should feel coerced to conduct these scans during clinical time.”
Broader Consideration
The opposition to age testing laws extends beyond resource allocation to encompass broader ethical and legal considerations.
“A Headline-Grabbing Measure”
Evans stated that the plan was “nothing but a headline-grabbing measure” and that Radiographers had “every moral reason to object—and serious legal, ethical, and health reasons to object, too.”
Fully Justified and Voluntary
Evans’ warning comes in part because patient consent is necessary for medical tests under UK law. This means that any X-rays or MRIs that would be conducted must be fully justified and voluntary.
Health at Risk
Apart from the fact that the wasting of vital resources could disrupt “care being given to other NHS patients,” Evans also argued that the tests could put the health of asylum seekers at risk.
Lacking Reliability and Accuracy
Critics have argued that age testing methods, such as X-rays of wrists and dental checks for wisdom teeth, lack reliability and accuracy.
No Definitive Results
Evans points out that factors such as puberty can affect the accuracy of X-ray assessments. At the same time, dental checks may not provide definitive results due to the wide variety of ages at which wisdom teeth can appear.
Difficult or Impossible
Due to this wide age range for wisdom teeth, Evans also highlighted that “some people’s wisdom teeth never emerge at all,” making age verification all the more difficult, if not impossible.
Potential Harm
There are yet more concerns about the potential harm posed to migrants, particularly children, by exposing them to radiation through X-ray tests.
Potential Hazards
Scientific advisers have cautioned that such tests could endanger the health of child asylum seekers. The Society of Radiographers, which represents over 33,000 staff within the NHS, asserts that the potential hazards associated with conducting the scans significantly outweigh the possibility of misidentifying an adult migrant as a minor.
Determining Ages of Migrants
In response to the opposition, the Home Office has defended its proposal to use scientific assessments, including X-rays and MRIs, to determine the age of migrants.
“Scientific Assessments”
A spokesperson from the Home Office stated, “We are strengthening the age assessment process through the National Age Assessment Board and introducing scientific assessments such as X-rays and MRIs.”
“Scientific Evidence”
They continued, “Our methods are supported by scientific evidence provided by the Age Estimation Science Advisory Committee and scientific age assessments are already widely across most of Europe.”
Serious Questions
Despite the government’s protestations, radiographers’ resistance has raised serious questions about the future of age assessment procedures for migrants.
Impeding Efforts
If health professionals refuse to conduct age tests en masse, it could seriously impede the Home Office’s efforts to verify the ages of asylum seekers.
Only 1.5%
According to the UK charity Refugee Council, less than 1.5% of asylum seekers have been accused of lying about their age to claim asylum, which makes the government’s plan even more dubious, looking as it does like a hammer in search of a nearly non-existent nail.
Societal Concerns
Though the government wishes to look hard on asylum seekers to appease the more ravenously right wing of the Conservative party, the opposition among radiographers to conducting age tests on migrants reflects broader societal concerns about resource allocation, ethical considerations, and patient safety.
Unethical and Dangerous
It remains to be seen how the government will handle any such resistance from the medical community against a practice many consider not just unethical but also dangerous.
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The post Age Tests on Migrants: Radiographers Urged to Oppose the Move on Ethical Grounds first appeared on Edge Media.
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Grant Gallacher is a seasoned writer with expertise in politics and impactful daily news. His work, deeply rooted in addressing issues that resonate with a wide audience, showcases an unwavering commitment to bringing forth the stories that matter. He is also known for satirical writing and stand up comedy.