Category Archives: Abortion Contraception

BPAS comment on announcements from the Scottish government on at home early medical abortions

“We are delighted that the Scottish government have confirmed that at-home early medical abortion care will become a permanent option for women in Scotland. This means that women across Great Britain will continue to be able to access safe, effective early medical abortion medication from the privacy and comfort of their own homes. Research from the SACHA study, published recently in the journal BMJ Sexual and Reproductive Health, found overwhelming support for telemedical abortion care – otherwise known as “Pills by Post” – and we are pleased that the Scottish government has listened to the voices of women who have used this service, as well as the vast body of clinical evidence that confirms the safety and efficacy of this service.

“Permission for at-home early abortion has yet to be afforded to the women of Northern Ireland. In March, the Secretary of State committed to intervene on abortion services for Northern Ireland following the recent assembly election in May. We urge Brandon Lewis to bring forward measures to ensure that not only are in-clinic services funded and accessible, but also that the women of Northern Ireland also are given the ability to access at-home care, in line with the permissions in all other nations in the UK.

“We also welcome the commitment from the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, to pursue buffer zones legislation to protect women and clinicians from anti-abortion protest activity outside clinics. For years, groups have been allowed to harassment and intimidate women seeking legal healthcare, and the healthcare professionals providing this care. The government in Westminster have previously rejected calls from medical bodies, providers, and women’s rights charities to establish buffer zones, and we hope that the example being set by the Scottish government will shame Ministers in England to act. At a time when reproductive rights are under attack in many other countries, it is vital that the UK is a beacon for women’s reproductive choice. Scotland appears to be on course to do just that.”

Clare Murphy, Chief Executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, BPAS

https://www.bpas.org/about-our-charity/press-office/press-releases/bpas-comment-on-announcements-from-the-scottish-government/

 

May 26, 2022

UK Government moves to ensure abortion services are commissioned in Northern Ireland

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland will take further legislative steps (19 May 2022) to ensure abortion services are commissioned for women and girls in Northern Ireland.

This follows inaction from the Department of Health and Northern Ireland Executive, which have not guaranteed relevant healthcare services are available by the 31 March 2022 deadline set by the Secretary of State in July 2021.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is laying regulations that remove the need for the Department of Health to seek Executive Committee approval in relation to commissioning abortion services in Northern Ireland. This means the Department of Health will have no further barriers to commission and fund services.

The UK Government is steadfast in its belief that, as a devolved matter, the Department of Health should drive forward the commissioning of abortion services without further delay.

The regulations will also allow the Government to intervene if there is further inaction delivering safe and high-quality abortion services. The Secretary of State will be seeking a clear and unambiguous commitment from the Minister for Health Robin Swann that he will progress this matter without further delay.

If the Department of Health does not commission and fund abortion services as directed, the regulations give the UK Government the power to do anything that a Northern Ireland Minister or department could do for the purpose of ensuring that abortion services are provided as decided by Parliament in 2019.

To ensure the Secretary of State has all the information required in those circumstances, a small team of experts in the medical field has been established in the Northern Ireland Office to work alongside the Department of Health and report back to him on progress.

Part of a longer press release at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-government-moves-to-ensure-abortion-services-are-commissioned-in-northern-ireland

May 23, 2022

BPAS comment on Roe vs Wade

“We are shocked and appalled by the draft opinion from the Supreme Court to remove women’s constitutional right to abortion in the US. If Roe v Wade were overturned women in a string of US states would lose access to abortion altogether or face even greater restrictions than they do already. It represents a body blow to reproductive rights and women’s bodily autonomy in the so-called land of the free.

“Banning abortion does not remove women’s need to end a pregnancy. It simply makes it more difficult and more dangerous for women. It forces women to either make long journeys to access the care they need, or take matters into their own hands. Those that suffer the most are those who can least afford it. While abortion pills in the post may represent a lifeline for women in these circumstances, many women will still need in-clinic care. Removing these women’s access to swift, safe abortion services is utterly contemptible and has absolutely no place in a society that calls itself civilised in the 21st Century.

“We are also concerned about the message this sends to the world at a time when women in many countries are still struggling to achieve abortion rights. It further underlines the need for the UK to be a beacon for women’s reproductive choice  and we call on the UK Government to clearly condemn what is nothing short of an assault on women, their families and their lives.”

Clare Murphy, Chief Executive at BPAS:

https://www.bpas.org/about-our-charity/press-office/press-releases/bpas-comment-on-roe-vs-wade/

 

May 5, 2022

BPAS comment Government announcements on at-home early medical abortion

England

“The government has on 24 February 2022 confirmed a six month extension for the permission for at-home early medical abortion, and has committed to keeping this matter under review. If, at the end of this six month period, the government were indeed to revoke legal permission for this service it would be a shameful betrayal of women and a decision devoid of both evidence or justice.

Over the next six months we will continue, along with medical experts including the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal College of General Practitioners, the BMA, and the Royal College of Midwives, to reiterate to the government that removing access to at-home early medical abortion care would be disastrous for women and that to do so would be to wilfully ignore the vast body of clinical evidence that demonstrates that this is a safe, effective, and world-leading service. The revocation of telemedical abortion care would force vulnerable women in the most difficult of circumstances, who cannot access in-clinic treatment, to resort to illegal methods again and face criminal sanction as a result.  It is why the service is supported by all leading women’s rights organisations.

The government must stop playing politics with women’s health. It’s time to put the needs of women first.”

https://www.bpas.org/about-our-charity/press-office/press-releases/bpas-comment-on-government-announcement-re-at-home-early-medical-abortion-1/

Wales

The Welsh government have announced that the temporary arrangements introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, which enabled women and girls to take both pills for Early Medical Abortion (EMA) up to 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, are being made permanent in Wales.

Clare Murphy, Chief Executive at BPAS:

“We are delighted that Eluned Morgan, Minister for Health in the Welsh government, has announced that at-home early medical abortion will be a permanent option for the women of Wales. A vast body of clinical evidence has demonstrated that at-home early abortion, which was brought in at the start of the pandemic, is safe and effective, and we are grateful to the Welsh government for listening to medical professionals, women’s rights organisations, and thousands of women who need this service every year. The ability to receive early abortion medication by post following a telemedical consultation with a doctor or nurse will be of particular benefit for women in rural north or south west Wales who can struggle with travelling to attend in-clinic appointments, women with caring responsibilities, and vulnerable women experiencing domestic violence who cannot risk journeying to a clinic for fear their abuser will discover their pregnancy. The ability to access this service from the safety and privacy of their own homes will protect women who might otherwise put themselves at risk of criminalisation by using abortion medication purchased online, illegally, because the obstacles to in-clinic treatment are insurmountable.

“This announcement should be a source of shame to the government in Westminster, who continue to play politics with women’s health by choosing to extend permission for the service for 6 months in England, rather than make it a permanent option. The UK government should take note – this is what a real women’s health strategy looks like.”

https://www.bpas.org/about-our-charity/press-office/press-releases/bpas-comment-on-welsh-government-announcement-re-at-home-early-medical-abortion/

 

February 25, 2022

BPAS comment Government announcements on at-home early medical abortion

England

“The government has on 24 February 2022 confirmed a six month extension for the permission for at-home early medical abortion, and has committed to keeping this matter under review. If, at the end of this six month period, the government were indeed to revoke legal permission for this service it would be a shameful betrayal of women and a decision devoid of both evidence or justice.

Over the next six months we will continue, along with medical experts including the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal College of General Practitioners, the BMA, and the Royal College of Midwives, to reiterate to the government that removing access to at-home early medical abortion care would be disastrous for women and that to do so would be to wilfully ignore the vast body of clinical evidence that demonstrates that this is a safe, effective, and world-leading service. The revocation of telemedical abortion care would force vulnerable women in the most difficult of circumstances, who cannot access in-clinic treatment, to resort to illegal methods again and face criminal sanction as a result.  It is why the service is supported by all leading women’s rights organisations.

The government must stop playing politics with women’s health. It’s time to put the needs of women first.”

https://www.bpas.org/about-our-charity/press-office/press-releases/bpas-comment-on-government-announcement-re-at-home-early-medical-abortion-1/

Wales

The Welsh government have announced that the temporary arrangements introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, which enabled women and girls to take both pills for Early Medical Abortion (EMA) up to 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, are being made permanent in Wales.

Clare Murphy, Chief Executive at BPAS:

“We are delighted that Eluned Morgan, Minister for Health in the Welsh government, has announced that at-home early medical abortion will be a permanent option for the women of Wales. A vast body of clinical evidence has demonstrated that at-home early abortion, which was brought in at the start of the pandemic, is safe and effective, and we are grateful to the Welsh government for listening to medical professionals, women’s rights organisations, and thousands of women who need this service every year. The ability to receive early abortion medication by post following a telemedical consultation with a doctor or nurse will be of particular benefit for women in rural north or south west Wales who can struggle with travelling to attend in-clinic appointments, women with caring responsibilities, and vulnerable women experiencing domestic violence who cannot risk journeying to a clinic for fear their abuser will discover their pregnancy. The ability to access this service from the safety and privacy of their own homes will protect women who might otherwise put themselves at risk of criminalisation by using abortion medication purchased online, illegally, because the obstacles to in-clinic treatment are insurmountable.

“This announcement should be a source of shame to the government in Westminster, who continue to play politics with women’s health by choosing to extend permission for the service for 6 months in England, rather than make it a permanent option. The UK government should take note – this is what a real women’s health strategy looks like.”

https://www.bpas.org/about-our-charity/press-office/press-releases/bpas-comment-on-welsh-government-announcement-re-at-home-early-medical-abortion/

 

February 25, 2022