Retired GP Dr. Sarah Benn faces a five-month suspension for her climate activism, which has prompted discussions about the duty of doctors to protest against the impending climate catastrophe. Here’s the full story.
Unique Approach
As the climate catastrophe continues to bear down upon humanity, the UK government has taken the unique approach of cracking down, not on the fossil fuel companies creating the pollution that will ultimately doom us all, but on the activists attempting to raise awareness of the dire situation the planet will soon find itself in.
Public Order Act
Last year, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government introduced the Public Order Act, primarily intended for environmental protesters. The government named groups such as Extinction Rebellion and Stop Oil as organisations the new law would target.
Activism Risk
However, a disturbing new reality has settled upon the country, with jobs and livelihoods now at risk for participating in climate activism. Retired GP Dr Sarah Benn has been suspended from medical practice for her involvement in peaceful climate protests.
Ethical Implications
The disciplinary action against Dr Benn, the first of three GPs facing tribunals for similar activism, has led to an outcry across the medical community. Questions are being asked about the ethical implications of effectively punishing doctors for engaging in protests.
Just Stop Oil
Dr Benn initially participated in a series of climate protests organised by Just Stop Oil. This led to the suspension of her medical licence for five months and the looming possibility of its permanent removal.
Impaired Due to Misconduct
Despite her extensive medical experience, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS), the General Medical Council (GMC) department tasked with disciplinary cases, deemed her fitness to practise impaired due to misconduct.
No Concern for Patient Safety
The tribunal made clear that its decision was not made due to concerns about patient safety, noting that Dr Benn was an experienced doctor.
“No Evidence”
However, the tribunal’s verdict noted “no acknowledgement from Dr Benn that what she has done by breaking the law was wrong and no evidence that she has taken steps to remediate her actions.”
Delicate Balance
The tribunal’s verdict rested on the delicate balance between Dr Benn’s assertion of her moral duty to act and the necessity of upholding legal and professional standards.
Public Trust
In their ruling, the MPTS stated, “The public must be able to trust that doctors will always act within the law.”
“Climate Emergency Is a Health Emergency”
However, following the verdict, Dr Benn was unrepentant when speaking to the Guardian: “The climate emergency is a health emergency; not a potential future one, but here and now. If I know all this and I choose to stay quiet, I am failing in my obligations. I am breaching the guidance in good medical practice to make my patients’ health my first concern.”
Five Months to Apologise
Dr Benn also expressed her determination to continue her climate activism, stating that the tribunal had “given me essentially five months to offer apologies and regret and an undertaking to not do it again.”
Clear Position
She continued, “But I’ve made my position very clear and really nothing is going to be any different in five months’ time.”
“The Greatest Health Crisis”
Dr. Benn also asked, “How could my patients trust me again, if I didn’t take action to confront the greatest health crisis we face?”
Significant Support
Dr. Benn’s case garnered significant support from fellow medical practitioners and organisations such as the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Doctors’ Association UK.
No Public or Patient Interest
Dr Emma Runswick of the BMA told the BBC there was “no possible public or patient interest” in the MPTS, which took away Dr Benn’s licence to practise medicine over her participation in activism.
“Biggest Potential Health Crisis”
Dr. Runswick added, “Climate change has been declared the biggest potential health crisis in the world by the World Health Organisation (WHO).”
“A Clinician Being Punished”
A Doctors’ Association spokesperson stated, “This is a story of a clinician being punished for raising serious concerns about dangerous inaction on the greatest threat to global health we have ever, or will ever experience. The right to peaceful protest is a basic human right. It cannot and must not be taken away.”
“Peaceful Protest”
They continued, “Given the evidence on climate change and its health impacts, we strongly believe that peaceful protest should not be viewed as condemnable professional misconduct – but as commendable public health advocacy.”
Frightening Future
Dr Sarah Benn’s suspension is a frightening look at the world to come, a dire warning of the possibility of state and institutional intervention into the lives of those whose only crime is to protest against the irreparable harm being done to the environment.
Dark Mark
The idea that doctors, the very people who will be charged with helping the legions of patients who suffer lung damage, breathing difficulties or respiratory diseases due to increased pollution, face losing their licence for speaking out is a dark mark not just on the medical profession, but on society as a whole.
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The post Britain’s Descent Into Dystopian Nightmare as GP Suspended for Climate Activism first appeared on Edge Media.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / 1000 Words.
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.