I completely understand what an incredibly emotive issue this is and I appreciate the strength of feelings on both sides.
The approach to abortion in Great Britain is set out in the Abortion Act 1967, which states that two doctors must certify that, in their opinion, a request for an abortion meets at least one and the same ground laid out in the Act. These grounds include “risk to the life of the pregnant woman”, and “substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped”.
I am encouraged that guidance for doctors on how to comply with the Act has been issued, which stipulates that registered medical practitioners should be able to show how they have considered the particular facts and circumstances of a case when forming their opinion. Full details can be found online at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-doctors-on-compliance-w…
Abortion care is an essential part of care for women, and safeguarding measures are still in place. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has offered guidance on this issue which can be found here: https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coro…
Guidelines have been issued which enable women to take both Mifepristone and Misoprostol at home, once they have a prescription from a medial professional, for the duration of the outbreak so they do not have to visit a medical practice and risk exposure to Coronavirus, and to enable doctors to prescribe medicines from home without consulting a second practitioner so that abortion care can be provided even in the case of staff shortages.
I have been assured this alteration will last only as long as the temporary provisions enacted by the Coronavirus Act 2020 to protect women seeking care. The medicines must still be instigated prior to nine weeks and six days into the pregnancy.
Like you I have been distressed to read news reports of cases where abortions had been sought and enacted after the ten week legal limit for taking the medicines at home, and have caused further illness and even death. I understand that these instances are being investigated to ensure that women are accessing safe care, and that clinicians are properly supported through the consultation process. It would be inappropriate for me to pre-empt the outcome of these investigations and I will continue to monitor this issue closely.