Women in Wales will be allowed to take an abortion pill at HOME following Scotland’s landmark move last year and charities urge England to follow suit
- The current system makes women visit a clinic twice in 3 days to take 2 tablets
- But the new change they will be given the option of taking the latter pill at home
- The change, also made in Scotland last year, has been dubbed a ‘sensible move’
- Charities have today urged health officials in England to make the same move
Women in Wales will today be allowed to take an abortion pill at home, following Scotland’s landmark move to do the same last year.
Those seeking a termination of their pregnancy in Wales currently have to visit a clinic twice within three days to take two tablets.
But the landmark change means thousands of women will be given the option of taking the latter pill, misoprostol, at home.
They will still have to visit once to be given mifepristone, which blocks the effects of progesterone – a hormone crucial for maintaining a pregnancy.
Charities say the ‘sensible move’ will allow thousands of women to avoid potential bleeding and pain on the way home from clinics.
Advice from clinicians and women’s groups prompted the move, which brings Wales in line with Scotland, the US, France and Sweden.
Charities today urged England’s Health and Social Care Secretary Jeremy Hunt to make the same move.
The landmark change means thousands of women in Wales will be given the option of taking the second abortion pill, misoprostol, at home
Welsh Health Secretary Vaughan Gething claimed the move will increase choice for women and reduce the burden on clinical resources.
Guidance will be issued to health boards across Wales today on allowing misoprostol to be self-administered at home – rather than always in a clinic.
Currently, women seeking a medical abortion – only available in the first nine weeks of pregnancy, have to visit a clinic twice in 72 hours for two tablets.
But they will then have the option of being discharged home to self-administer the misoprostol. Women can still attend a clinic if they prefer.
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The British Pregnancy Advisory Service, which has long campaigned for the move, said it welcomed the decision, backed by the World Health Organisation.
A spokeswoman said it means women do not have to attend ‘multiple, clinically unnecessary appointments and rush home from a clinic after taking the pills, risking pain and bleeding en route’.
She added: ‘Wales is introducing safe, evidence-based medical care that will benefit women needing abortion care.
Currently, women seeking a medical abortion – only available in the first nine weeks of pregnancy, have to visit a clinic twice in 72 hours for two tablets
‘We applaud the Welsh Government for moving forward with this simple measure that will mean so much.
‘It is now time for the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to ensure women in England can access the same standard of care.’
The move was also praised by Diana Johnson, Labour MP for Hull North, who last year introduced a Bill to decriminalise abortion up to 24 weeks in England and Wales.
She said: ‘Allowing the home use of misoprostol will ensure that medical abortions are carried out with the maximum dignity for a woman.
WHERE DO WOMEN GO IF THEY WANT A MEDICAL ABORTION?
Currently, women seeking a medical abortion – only available in the first nine weeks of pregnancy, have to visit a clinic twice in 72 hours for two tablets.
They will still have to visit once to be given mifepristone, which blocks the effects of progesterone – a hormone crucial for maintaining a pregnancy.
But they will then have the option of being discharged home to self-administer the misoprostol. Women can still attend a clinic if they prefer.
‘I have heard dreadful stories of women who are currently required to visit a clinic twice and have miscarried on public transport or in public toilets on the way home.
‘Scotland has led the way on this and Wales is now recognising this is both clinically the right thing to do and in the interest of women.’
Ms Johnson added: ‘It’s now time for England to put women’s healthcare needs at the heart of abortion provision.’
Mr Gething said: ‘I am pleased to announce that the approval, allowing the second dose of medicine for termination of pregnancy to be carried out at home, has been issued to health boards today.
‘This change in practice offers additional choice to women requesting an abortion and enables them to complete treatment in an environment where they feel most comfortable.
‘It will also reduce the burden currently placed on clinical resources, increase the availability of appointments for women who want to access termination of pregnancy services, and enable a greater number of women to access abortion provision at an earlier point in their pregnancy.’
Helen Rogers, director for Wales at the Royal College of Midwives, said: ‘This is a sensible and practical move by the Welsh Government.
‘It enables women to have more choice and control over their own reproductive health and well-being.
‘It is a welcome announcement that will make a significant difference to women using these services.’
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