fpa Welcomes The Science And Technology Committee Findings On Abortion, UK

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 31 Oct 2007 - 3:00 PST

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Anne Weyman, Chief Executive, fpa said:

"We warmly welcome the conclusions and recommendations of this report. The Science and Technology Committee have conducted a thorough investigation and demonstrated great sensitivity towards the needs of women having an abortion and the health professionals supporting them. The evidence for a radical review of the 1967 Abortion Act to modernise abortion services is now overwhelming."

Reacting to some of the specific points made by the Committee Anne continued:

"We are delighted that the Committee has found no scientific basis to reduce the time limit from 24 weeks. Women will continue to have the time that they need to decide with dignity, whether to continue with a pregnancy or not.

"Forcing women to ask the permission of two separate doctors before she can have an abortion is antiquated, unnecessary and patronising. The Committee are completely right to support the removal of this requirement."

"We recognise that nurses have a huge role to play in every part of abortion provision. We endorse the Committee's findings that suitably trained nurses should be able to carry out early medical and surgical abortions in Britain, as they do in other countries.

"We very much welcome the Committee's recommendation that women should be able to choose whether to have the second stage of medical abortion at home. This is an important matter for women and again this would bring Britain in line with the normal practice of other countries, such as the United States."

fpa (Family Planning Association) is the only registered charity working to improve the sexual health and reproductive rights of all people throughout the UK.

http://www.fpa.org.uk