HSC president ‘busts myths’ over abortion

Deputy Soulsby said HSC’s proposals were about giving women the ability to choose what was right for them.

The Nazis did not give people who did not fit their Aryan ideal the choice of how they were treated, she said.

In her opening speech, she said it was essential that she provide context, ‘bust some myths’, and explain the importance of the propositions.

‘I think it’s important that I say up-front that the Committee for Health & Social Care respects the views of those, who for religious or other reasons, are against abortion and those who may have

difficulty with aspects of it,’ she said.

Referring to some of the specific proposals, she said that the requirement for a woman to seek the support of two GPs was ‘completely unnecessary’ and if a woman wanted a second opinion, she could get one, but should not be forced to seek one.

Allowing some abortions to take place at a woman’s home reflected the fact that some procedures could be done by medication and it should therefore be possible for a midwife or nurse to oversee the administration of that medication. They would not be performing surgery, she said.

And while medical practitioners who had a conscientious objection to taking part in abortion procedures should be able to continue to make this choice, this should not extend to supportive care afterwards.

Deputy Soulsby cited examples of pregnant women who would benefit from the change from 12 weeks to 24 weeks, such as those in abusive relationships who were too scared to take action sooner, those made pregnant by a rape from a family member, or the woman in her 40s with five children whose husband died when she was three months’ pregnant.

She did not believe that the changes would open the floodgates to more abortions, and in 2018 there were 116 abortions in the island, which was 20%

fewer than 10 years previously.

Members went on to debate a move to delay debate for more consultation, which was lost by one vote.