PRESS RELEASE: Abortion at home laws could be made permanent in Scotland

30 SEPTEMBER 2020

Early Medical Abortion

In response to the Scottish Government’s announcement, that they are to consult on whether to make measures taken to allow women to access telemedicine during the pandemic permanent, Jillian Merchant, Abortion Rights Scotland, said:

“We welcome the consultation by the Scottish Government to consider telemedicine for early medical abortion on a permanent basis.

“Covid-19 has forced Government and Politicians to realise that our abortion laws are no longer fit for purpose or in line with modern medicine.

“The introduction of telemedicine during the pandemic has been a vital service for women seeking an abortion during this time.

“Telemedicine on a permanent basis would prevent thousands of women making multiple unnecessary journeys to GPs and Hospitals in order to access abortion services.

“Telemedicine for early medical abortions is a safe and effective practice – already recommend by expert bodies – with no clinical reason why, after the necessary consultation, both abortion pills can be prescribed, delivered and taken at home”.

Ends

Notes to editor.

Media contact for comment and interviews Jillian Merchant (07969 691 618 or arcscotlandonline@gmail.com)

Scottish Government Consultation – https://www.gov.scot/publications/consultation-future-arrangements-early-medical-abortion-home/

Telemedicine was made available during the pandemic following pressure from Abortion Rights and MSPs. https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx?SearchType=Advance&ReferenceNumbers=S5W-28062&ResultsPerPage=10

A study by Purcell et al, looked at women’s experiences of self-management of first trimester terminations. http://eprints.gla.ac.uk/140042/1/140042.pdf

International Studies:

Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2016 Sep;134(3):268-71. doi: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2016.02.018. Epub 2016 May 26. Prospective study of home use of mifepristone and misoprostol for medical abortion up to 10weeks of pregnancy in Kazakhstan. Platais I, Tsereteli T, Grebennikova G, Lotarevich T, Winikoff B and

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2014 Jul;93(7):647-53. doi: 10.1111/aogs.12398. Epub 2014 May 23. Medical abortion with mifepristone and home administration of misoprostol up to 63 days’ gestation. Løkeland M, Iversen OE, Engeland A, Økland I, Bjørge L. Free full text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4670695/