Press Release: UK ministers face legal action over lack of abortion services in Northern Ireland

Four in five trusts in Northern Ireland are only providing abortion pills up to 10 weeks, despite the law allowing abortions up to 12 weeks, and currently no surgical abortions are taking place.

One of Northern Ireland’s five trusts, the South Eastern trust, currently has no early medical abortion (EMA) service after a doctor went on maternity leave. Another, the Northern trust, ceased all services in October because of a lack of resources but resumed on 4th January. However, while it was closed other trusts were not taking referrals because of a lack of capacity.

According to The Irish Times (10/1/21) Northern Ireland’s Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) has launched a landmark legal action against the UK government for its failure to commission safe and accessible abortion services more than a year after abortion was made legal in the country.

Kerry Abel, Chair of Abortion Rights UK said:

‘Funding is so lacking, it’s taking just one doctor taking leave to disrupt a whole service.

‘Medical staff need to commended for their hard work over the last year, but they are being hamstrung by lack of finances.

‘The government can’t just take its ball home because it doesn’t like the law – services must be resourced.

‘The NI Human Rights Commission are right to make it clear that this a human rights issue, especially in the middle of a pandemic when travel is so dangerous.

‘Abortion Rights always campaigns for access as well as changing the law – this is exactly why.’

Ends

Notes to Editors

Media contact for comment and interviews: Kerry Abel, National Chair, Abortion Rights (07979 535242)

On October 2019 abortion decriminalised and became lawful in Northern Ireland.
A new framework for lawful abortion services came into effect on 31 March 2020.
The regulations do not allow for the home use of both sets of abortion pills, the Health Minister has the power to change this.
THE REGULATIONS –
- Up to 12 weeks on request, signed off by one healthcare professional
- Between 12 and 24 weeks When continuing the pregnancy would risk mental or physical injury to the woman or girl that is greater than the risk of terminating the pregnancy.
- No time limit: Greater than the risk of termination, or When necessary to prevent serious physical or mental harm, including immediate necessity such as during birth
- Who can perform a termination? Only medical professionals i.e. registered doctors, nurses and midwives.
- Professionals may conscientiously object to performing a termination unless it’s necessary to save the pregnant woman or girl’s life or prevent serious permanent physical or mental injury.