Proposed abortion law change ‘removes barriers to care’
CHANGES have been proposed to safely remove healthcare barriers in place for women seeking abortions.
Health & Social Care gave details of its proposals in a policy letter published on Monday.
Presently it is legally required for two doctors to confirm an abortion meets certain characteristics to be performed.
Concerns may arise in that a woman may not be best advised without the confirmation of two doctors.
‘It is absolutely a duty of every medical practitioner to advise and provide the best information possible for an individual in their care. Giving the best advice is part of their job and will continue to be,’ said HSC president Heidi Soulsby.
‘There should be no need for concern as to whether women seeking abortions will not receive the best standard of care without double certification.
‘No other medical process requires certification from two practitioners in order to receive appropriate care.’
Regardless of complexity, no procedure legally requires double authorisation – this inconsistency was recognised with respect to abortion law.
Currently abortions after 12 weeks gestation are permitted only in certain circumstances up to 24 weeks.
In turn HSC says this leads to women going away for abortions, as often some may not realise they are pregnant until the limit is up.
Instead, the permissible baseline limit will rise from 12 to 24 weeks in line with UK law.
‘These changes are a natural progression which are people-centred,’ Deputy Soulsby said.
‘The current abortion law is nearly a quarter of a century old. It does not allow for accessible, evidence-based services to be provided to those in need.
‘Importantly, what we want to do is to remove barriers in place which prevent pregnant women from seeking the care they require. This is part of the Partnership of Purpose.’
The Partnership of Purpose is a commitment to transform the healthcare services available in the island.
User-centred care is a primary focus, allowing direct and fair access to high-quality healthcare.
At present, it is a crime to perform or receive an unregulated abortion.
Providing unregulated abortion services would remain illegal, but service-using women would not themselves be subject to criminal penalties, nor would women inducing their own abortion be punished.
‘De-criminalising unregulated abortion services follows from the move in Ireland. Often women undertaking abortions themselves are some of the most vulnerable. The last thing they need is additional concerns that they will be convicted of a crime,’ said Deputy Soulsby.
‘If complications arise as a result of an unregulated abortion, then the criminal aspect may prevent the person concerned from getting additional care.’
Safety, regulation and accessibility have underpinned the decision to accommodate for the personal choice and wellbeing of people in gestation.
The British Medical Association has campaigned for full de-criminalisation of abortion procedures in line with other practices.
Campaigns educating on different perspectives have encouraged changes in opinion toward abortion.
The abortion law, which forbade any abortions taking place on-island, was repealed in 1996. From 1990 to 1994, an average of 128 local women a year went to the UK to have an abortion.
. A public meeting will be held at the Princess Royal Centre for the Performing Arts, between 6pm and 8pm on Wednesday 11 March, for a chance to discuss the changes with a visiting leading gynaecologist and local medical professionals. For information, www.gov.gg/abortionlaw
