About this consultation
During the COVID-19 pandemic the UK government put in place a temporary approval in England, enabling women and girls to take both pills for early medical abortion (EMA) up to 10 weeks (9 weeks and 6 days) gestation in their own homes, following a telephone or e-consultation with a clinician, without the need to first attend a hospital or clinic. This measure has been put in place during the pandemic to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and ensure continued access to abortion services. It is time limited for 2 years, or until the pandemic is over ‒ whichever is earliest.
Prior to the pandemic government policy was that only the second pill for early medical abortion could be taken at home and that women should attend an abortion service to take the first pill. Existing guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) (2014) was developed to provide support for doctors and sets out how the 1967 Abortion Act is interpreted by the department.
The guidance dealt with a number of issues including the role of the certifying doctors and the steps they should take to assess risk to the woman’s physical or mental health, the role of the multi-disciplinary team and consultations via webcam or telephone. The guidance also sets out that while there is no statutory requirement for either doctor to have seen and/or examined the woman, it is the department’s interpretation of the law that both doctors should ensure that they have considered sufficient information specific to the woman seeking a termination to be able to assess whether the woman satisfies one of the lawful grounds under the Abortion Act. Although there is no legal requirement for at least one of the certifying doctors to have seen the pregnant woman before reaching a decision about a termination, the guidance expressed the department’s view is that it is good practice for this to be the case.
The temporary COVID-19 approval changed this practice and data shows that most women are now taking both pills at home following an on-line consultation. Following a commitment made in Parliament to consult on this issue, the UK government is seeking views on whether to make permanent the current temporary measure allowing for home use of both pills for EMA medical abortion up to 10 weeks gestation for all eligible women or whether, after the pandemic, the previous approval should be reinstated. The government recognises the sensitivities around the issue of abortion, and the strongly held views on all sides of the debate. This is why the government proposes to consult on this issue to give all sides an opportunity to input their views, evidence and data.
Scope
This consultation is solely seeking views on whether to keep the existing approach or to make permanent the temporary COVID-19 measure allowing for home use of both pills for EMA up to 10 weeks’ gestation for all eligible women in England. The scope does not extend to other abortion-related matters, including the wider legal framework. It does not include provision of abortion services in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
The policy objectives of this consultation are to understand the:
- impact and experience of the temporary measure
- benefits of making the temporary measure permanent
- risks of making the temporary measure permanent
- evidence base for making the temporary measure permanent
References in this consultation to “women and girls” include a person of any age who is pregnant.
Timetable
This consultation opened on 26 November 2020 and closes at 11:59pm on 26 February 2021.
Responding to the consultation
The government would welcome feedback from anyone with an interest or view on whether or not to make permanent the current temporary measure allowing for home use of both pills for early medical abortions (EMA) up to 10 weeks’ gestation for all eligible women, addressing the specific questions in this consultation document.
We particularly welcome views from those who have been directly affected by the current temporary measure, including:
- women and girls who have accessed abortion services during the COVID-19 pandemic and have taken both pills for EMA at home
- healthcare professionals and National Health Service (NHS) organisations
- NHS and independent sector abortion providers
- Royal Colleges and other professional bodies
All responses are confidential. You can choose to make an anonymous contribution, or you can give your details. When responding, please state whether you are doing so as an individual or representing the views of an organisation. If you are responding on behalf of an organisation, please make it clear who the organisation represents or the role of the organisation and, where applicable, how the views of members were assembled.
We would like to be able to quote people’s or organisation’s comments in the government response, in order to illustrate key points arising in the course of the consultation. If you’re happy for us to do this, please indicate this on the form. You can remain anonymous and still agree to your comments being quoted.
See also:
For full details and how to respond go to https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/home-use-of-both-pills-for-early-medical-abortion/home-use-of-both-pills-for-early-medical-abortion-up-to-10-weeks-gestation
HERitage stall this Saturday 29th January at St Cuthbert's hall, Amble. Come along, see you there