One-question survey on a possible Mumsnet campaign: your views wanted NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

Hello

MNHQ is seeking Mumsnetters' views on a possible campaign. It's a one-question survey, although there is some background for you to read if you're not familiar with the issue being discussed.

The survey is open to all Mumsnet users.

Here's the link: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/TQSCSBW

thanks
MNHQ

[RowanMumsnet]

Hello all

Thanks so much for taking part in the survey.

The outcome is that a clear majority supported the proposed course of action - but not by a big enough margin for us to feel it would be a good idea to take this on. Just over one-third of respondents were opposed, which is rather more than we'd like when it comes to official Mumsnet campaigns.

We know this is an area lots of you feel really strongly about so we will have a good think about other ways we might be able to approach it.

Thanks
MNHQ

[2014newme]

Campaign for a change in the law not travel expenses being paid by the already cash strapped NHS, that is ridiculous!

[BeyondReasonablyDoubts]

The trouble with that atsea is that even if a change of law is agreed and goes through straight away, it won't be actually changed immediately, and there will also be issues in getting doctors (sometimes it can be hard enough in the rest of the uk!) to refer you and carry out the procedure.
What happens to the women who are pregnant right now and need help?

[AtSea1979]

No. We should be challenging the law not supporting it by funding. I would fully back a campaign to change the law but not to fund the cruel practice of making women leave their community and travel to get what should be available locally.

[AlpacaLypse]

I've signed in to support and I'm in for the long term.

This second-classing of Irish women whether from NI or Eire has been an utter disgrace for far too long.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

I kind of agree with all on this thread.

Why can't MN take a three pronged approach?

In the long term campaign for a change in NI law, in the medium term campaign for NI women to be able to have NHS abortions in rUK, and in the short term promote the work if, and possibly fundraising for the ASN?

[wigglesrock]

usernnanechanger the current law in NI is one of the many many reasons the limit should not be lowered to 12 weeks and no you're not pro choice.

I'm in NI, should I become pregnant, (if I'd no reason to think I might be) I probably wouldn't find out until I did a test which I wouldn't do until my period was a week or two late. I would then have the decision to make about whether I wanted the baby or not. I would then have to arrange time off work, arrange whether or not I'd be going on my own, whether a friend/ partner could get time off work, arrange to get other children looked after, sort out the appointment, book flights, hope I could organise/afford accommodation. And that is assuming I had enough money to travel, take the time off work, and pay for the abortion, all within your allotted 12 week wish.

I've filled the survey in, I'm in NI. I have daughters, my mum has daughters, one of the first things she ever told me and continued to tell me was that if I thought I was pregnant never be afraid to tell her, that they were options, shamefully not in the country where we lived but that she would always listen and help how she could. My mum is in her late 60s, she is horrified that I and her granddaughters are still refused the same healthcare as other women (who we are equal to) in the UK. She never thought it would be the same for us.

[BeyondReasonablyDoubts]

Then you aren't pro choice :)

[usernanechanger]

I'm pro choice. But I think the term of abortion should be lower e.g. 12 weeks.

[GiraffesAndButterflies]

Agreed Louise but if everyone thinks that then no one will ever campaign. Failure now might still bring a future success a bit closer IYSWIM.

[Blu]

Yes, could Brook or similiar not make referrals ? Or well wan clinics ?

[TooPlain]

How about NHS services on the mainland making it easier for women from NI to access abortions which they are perfectly entitled to, without needing a referral from their GP? They can arrange a private abortion without a referral so I don't see why it should be necessary for an NHS one.

[Donatellalymanmoss]

Would be a good thing, not sure where that erroneous not came from.

[Donatellalymanmoss]

I agree that there should be a campaign for women in NI to have access to abortion in line with the rest of the UK, but knowing how hard it will be to get that change in the law, making it easier for women who have an immediate need for these services would be a good thing in the short term for women in NI to have access to abortions on the NHS.

[Blu]

Thank you for that explanation, Rowan.

[BeyondReasonablyDoubts]

I'm happy doing all three, donating to ASN (travel and accom will still need covering even if nhs do start doing it), campaigning for NHS to do the procedure, while doing the longer job of campaigning for law change.

[RowanMumsnet]

I think (although NI MNers may be able to tell me if I'm wrong) the situation is that NI healthcare professionals will refer NI people on to British mainland health services if the procedure/treatment they need is not easily available in NI - except in the case of terminations.

So, if you needed complex spinal surgery, your doctor in NI might happily refer you on to a hospital in the British mainland that specialises in that procedure.

But GPs and hospitals in NI cannot refer women on to NHS abortion providers in England, Wales or Scotland, although they can indicate that abortion treatment is available there. (Some detailed guidance for NI healthcare practitioners here).

And it's very difficult to just turn up in (say) Liverpool and self-refer to an NHS abortion provider. So women tend to end up paying instead - despite being UK citizens and (in theory) having exactly the same rights to NHS treatments as everyone else. (We checked this out with the HMRC and they confirmed that 'Anyone who is deemed to be ordinarily resident in the UK is entitled to free NHS hospital treatment in England.’ )

This entire area is the subject of a case currently before the Supreme Court. The judgement is expected soon but is expected to be a 'no' to funding the treatment of women from NI (although we could all be pleasantly surprised, of course.)

That's my understanding anyway, do please correct me if I'm wrong!

[Blu]

That's outrageous! If NI citizens are entitled to use the NHS for free, just as other UK citizens are entitled to use the HSC in NI, then ALL the services should be included. Dreadful restriction on certain citizens of the UK - how can this be legal?!

I do think that is an anomaly that wants re-dressing now, and alongside the pressure for the law in NI to change.

[GiraffesAndButterflies]

Just because it looks likely to fail to change the law in the next year or so is not a reason not to properly campaign.

This, definitely.

Not making NI women pay is a start. But I would also want to see MN be among those speaking up to say that the law should be changed. Silence is complicity in this case.