Abortion provision in Northern Ireland: news update and some action to take if you'd like

[RowanMumsnet]

Hello

We've been contacted today by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, who are trying to draw attention to a lack of available termination services in Northern Ireland despite the change in the law that made these services legal.

RCOG says that according to a statement from the Department of Health in Northern Ireland, they regard the provision of abortion services as 'controversial' despite these services being decriminalised. And so rather than commissioning Northern Ireland health trusts to provide these services (as the NI Department of Health is supposed to do) they are instead referring these decisions upwards to the Assembly.

Meanwhile, many women with unwanted pregnancies in Northern Ireland are unable to access legal abortion services, with all of the distress and fear that that entails. Given COVID precautions and travel difficulties, even women who have the means to travel to England or Wales for abortions may find it impossible to do so.

RCOG comments that 'early medical abortion services in Northern Ireland are lawful but not accessible in some areas of the country, and the provision of services after 10 weeks’ gestation is non-existent in most areas.'

They also say 'There have already been at least two cases of attempted suicide by women in Northern Ireland unable to access care. We are also aware of a substantial increase (+28%) in women turning to unregulated methods of abortion during the pandemic.'

This struck us as something lots of you might want to do something about - so here are some actions you can take if you'd like to add your support to RCOG's letter today.

You can retweet their tweet about it, here;
You can contact Robin Swann MLA, Minister of Health in Northern Ireland, at his official address: Department of Health, Stormont, Belfast, BT4 3SQ, asking him to prioritise a fully commissioned abortion service in Northern Ireland (see RCOG's letter, linked in the tweet above, for more details);
You can copy your letters or emails to Brandon Lewis MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

As ever, do let us know what you think and whether you receive any replies.

Thanks
MNHQ

The current state of affairs is a disgrace and unlawful.

The health authority needs to be judicially reviewed about their lack action on setting up services.

Abortion is legal and they've provided no reasonable rationale for their lack of action.

We need to be brave and fight for our rights. I know my neighbours in NI would ostracise me if I petitioned this.

I don't want my daughters growing up here without the same rights women in the rest of the U.K. have.

Thanks for highlighting this.

Thank you! I'd already seen this mentioned elsewhere, but the contact details are helpful to have here on the board.

Thanks for highlighting this. I'll draft an email when I sit down this evening (place marking as other wise I'll forget? how dare you suggest such a thing)

Thank you for this, MNHQ.

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Women seem to be always at the back of the queue when it comes to having basic rights and autonomy

I’ve travelled from NI to England for an abortion. It was expensive and scary. I’ve also accompanied my sister. Thanks for campaigning for this.

Thank you - we knew we could rely on your letter-writing mojos!

So important and thank you Rowan. I used to be part of a network that supported women travelling to the UK for terminations - offering accommodation, companionship and funding. Women should not be pushed back into that place.

Will write.

Thanks, MNHQ. Is there any point writing to our MPs here in the Uk, too?

No point in making something lawful if then restrict access. Shame on them. Writing tomorrow

Thank you for highlighting this.

And for bringing https://www.asn.org.uk to my attention some time ago

The situation in NI is a disgrace, only one of the reasons I do not live there.

Thank you MNHQ

@ArabellaScott

Thanks, MNHQ. Is there any point writing to our MPs here in the Uk, too?

Would have thought it can't do any harm, especially if they're likely to help put pressure on

@FinallyHere

Thank you for highlighting this.

And for bringing [[https://www.asn.org.uk]] to my attention some time ago

The situation in NI is a disgrace, only one of the reasons I do not live there.

Yes was looking at our Abortion Support Network stuff a couple of days ago for another reason and remembering that slightly odd article in the Telegraph (I think it was) about how odd it was for Mumsnet to be in support of women's rights to terminate unwanted pregnancies...

how odd it was for Mumsnet to be in support of women's rights

[makes gurgling noises]

I will also write. It's worth copying in the chair of the health committee, the committee has been pushing the Minister to commission the services.

[email protected]

@ArabellaScott

how odd it was for Mumsnet to be in support of women's rights

[makes gurgling noises]

Thanks MNHQ, I've written

Thanks MN. Will write also. Disgraceful but not surprising that nothing has been done

Thanks for the prompt, and for the contact info.

Thank you MNHQ

I had to hold DS2 for an X ray and assure them I wasn't pregnant the other day. I'm about 99% sure I'm not but I have to say the thought of being pregnant in the circumstances isn't a happy one and I know I'm one of the lucky ones who isn't actually needing one now or in the past.

Thanks for this, MNHQ.

Flexing typing fingers in preparation!

Thank you - will do - absolutely shocking situation.

Merci

I saw that bloody Bernie woman at the gates of Stormont the other day giving media interviews.

We need to ensure there is proper provision for this.