Marie Stopes suspension of services

[LassWiTheDelicateAir]

Just heard this on the BBC news. It was not clear what the issues are and The Guardian report isn't much clearer.

Very bad news.

Marie Stopes suspends some abortion services over safety issues

www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/19/marie-stopes-suspends-some-abortion-services-over-safety-issues?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard

Yes I've just read this but it's not very clear why. Worrying news. Access to abortion services is getting harder it seems.

From my reading of it, and from having read similar reports, it's not the nuts and bolts that are the problem, the abortions are safe etc, more that there have been problems with assurance and protocols, so paperwork hasn't been done well.

I hope all the women who were being helped by MSI are able to access alternatives quickly.

I was shocked to read it will affect around 250 women per week! I had no idea so many people had terminations, and that's just one provider 🙁

It's awful, and it sounds like it's mainly going to have an impact on under 18s and women considered vulnerable.

I also fear for those coming from Ireland and how they will manage.

The problems with vulnerable women and those under 18 were to do with poor governance and issues of consent.

They were also unable to show that staff were capable and safe to use sedation and general anaesthetic.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/08/19/marie-stopes-suspend-surgical-abortions-after-surprise-inspectio/

Above is a fairly detailed article, the full cqc report isn't out yet.

Considering that inspections for abortion providers were only rolled out in March this year (link below), I personally find it horrific that there is no way of knowing how long this was the state of affairs. And things must have been dire for this course of action.

www.cqc.org.uk/content/termination-pregnancy-service-inspections-roll-out

It is related to issues discovered by CQC (the same people who uncover abuses in care homes etc).

Our abortion services should be first rate. If they are not, damned right they should be suspended until they are fixed.

It is worrying news when even 'big name' providers have been offering substandard services.

IME CQC only recommend a cessation when things are woefully poor.