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Gloucester birth control flap prompts resignations

May 27, 2008

Gloucester birth control flap prompts resignations

Two fed-up medical officials have quit Gloucester High School’s health center amid a teen pregnancy “crisis” in a fight over handing out condoms and birth-control pills.

Medical Director Dr. Brian Orr and chief nurse practitioner Kim Daly resigned in outrage after their recommendation to confidentially give contraceptives to students was rejected by Addison Gilbert Hospital, which administers state funding for the school clinic.

“We had 17 teen pregnancies this academic year . . . a real worsening of the problem,” Orr told the Herald yesterday. Normally, the school has about four pregnancies per school year.

“We wanted a comprehensive program that would address this crisis, including giving condoms to the guys and oral contraceptives for teen women.”

But, Orr said, the hospital rejected his proposal over fears it could be held liable if teen women suffered health complications after being given the pill.

“This risk is almost nil,” said Orr, a pediatrician for 18 years.

He said the confidential distribution of contraceptives is practiced at many other school clinics in the state.

The hospital’s executive director, Cindy Donaldson, expressed concern about community reaction as well liability if a teen had ill effects from taking contraceptives.

“I’m surprised to hear of the resignations,” Donaldson told the Gloucester Daily Times.

“When the issue came up of confidential contraception around February, we said ‘yikes,’ ” Donaldson was quoted as saying by her hometown paper.

Orr, who will continue to work for Cape Ann Pediatricians, said he felt he had no choice but to resign Friday from the school clinic.

“This was not an easy decision for me at all,” he told the Herald. “I believe in this (program).”

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view.bg?articleid=1096567