Telemedicine for abortions should be here to stay

There is no reason for the Scottish Government to delay making it a permanent feature of healthcare in Scotland now, Abortion Rights Vice Chair Jillian Merchant writes.

In recent weeks the Scottish Government published their analysis of responses received to their public consultation on the continued use of telemedicine for abortion services. The Government concluded that they would consider the consultation responses, along with further evidence, ahead of making any decision. 

Last week this decision came under fire from the Catholic Media Office. 

As a starting point, it is important to note that public consultations on healthcare procedures are exceptionally rare. It says a lot about the lack of value, and trust, placed by society on women, and their health, that the public at large should have any say in medical procedures. There are few, if any, other subject matters where scientific advances are seen with such fear and inaction than women’s health, and abortion and contraception services in particular. 

Only last month further research was published, in the Contraception Journal, based on a survey of women who had used telemedicine services, which reported that 80% of users were satisfied or very satisfied with the service they received. This comes on the back of a study by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecology which “found that allowing women to have abortions at home has provided a safe, effective and more accessible service”.

These two recent studies, published after the Scottish Government consultation closed, only adds weight to an already significant set of scientific evidence which shows that telemedicine is safe and effective. That being the case there is no reason for the Scottish Government to delay making it a permanent feature of healthcare in Scotland now. 

Medical abortion is recommended by the World Health Organisation, with both abortion pills included within their list of essential medicines, which comprises lifesaving medicines that should be available in every country. The very same medication, that is now a matter of public debate, has been prescribed to women who have experienced miscarriage to take at home for years. 

In terms of the responses to the consultation it is important to remember that the vast majority of public opinion in Scotland is pro-choice, with those opposing a women’s right to make decisions over her own body ever increasingly becoming a very vocal and well-funded minority. With 1 in 3 women accessing abortion healthcare at some point in her lifetime, it is important that services are accessible for all, safe and effective.

There is no need for the Scottish Government to hide behind this vocal minority when making decisions about healthcare procedures. The pandemic has revolutionised abortion healthcare in Scotland and has slowly, started to update one of the most antiquated pieces of legislation in line with modern medicine. 

Telemedicine should remain a permanent feature of abortion healthcare in Scotland allowing all women equal access to the services they need. 

This article was first published in the Times on Monday 5 July.