Temporary approval of home use for both stages of early medical abortion

[stumbledin]

I hope that the current situation doesn't lead to more women finding themselves in need of this, but the Government has announced:

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has approved 2 temporary measures in England to limit the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) and ensure continued access to early medical abortion services:

• women and girls will be able to take both pills for early medical abortion in their own homes, without the need to first attend a hospital or clinic
• medical practitioners (doctors) will be able to prescribe both pills for the treatment of early medical abortion from their own homes

This must be carried out in line with the criteria set out in the attached document.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/temporary-approval-of-home-use-for-both-stages-of-early-medical-abortion

Well ... that was a quick retraction.

The link now says the earlier post was published in error and there will be no change in abortion regulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This would have made things easier for women at a terrible time to be needing an abortion. Why did they change their minds?

Did this never happen? DHSC promised it by the end of 2018.

Sorry, not been following this issue so apologies if that is a stupid question.

I did a search on Twitter for "abortion from:DHSCgovuk" and this was the only tweet in the search results:

twitter.com/DHSCgovuk/status/1033284243886092288

Aug 25, 2018

"Today we have announced that by the end of this year, women requiring early abortions will have the option to take the necessary medication in the safety and comfort of their own home rather than a clinic."

The whole thing is totally mysterious. I was going to try and google today to see if anyone has followed up.

I had assumed it was just a temporary arrangement to take pressure of doctors etc..

And as the Unionists are no longer the blance of power cant think who or why someone would have objected to this.

I suppose a query to the Women and Equalities Minister might be worth a try if only I could remember who it currently is!!

something clearly changed very quickly- see BPAS Twitter mobile.twitter.com/bpas1968/status/1242445234300223488

bpas are asking people to email MP - see bpas.eaction.org.uk/covid2sigs/

Thanks I have emailed my MP. I can’t imagine the stress for women in this situation not knowing what services they can get.

Taking abortion pills at home just seems like a sensible and simple measure which enables women to have a relatively earlier (so less physically risky) termination without travel to clinics and which can be well managed by HCPs via phone or video contact with the woman. Ideal for women in self isolation or as part of universal social distancing for infection control. Plus it presumably allows medics to take on a greater caseload than face-to-face appointments would allow which will be important as the healthcare workforce starts to lessen as more get sick with COVID and need time off work.

Every time I think I'm past being shockable, some arse comes up with a new way to torment women.

Elizabeth Truss is the current Minister.
wheredotheystand.org.uk/t/south-west-norfolk/elizabeth-truss

This was featured on Woman’s Hour today. No justification or reason given why this was withdrawn so suddenly. The interviewee was very clear about why it would be a good idea in the current circumstances. Jenny made an ill judged remark about if women get to choose, where will it all end ( probably trying to bend over backwards to present the other view!) Interviewee expressed astonishment and declared that we are not in Gilead yet! Great response ...

Just seen this - looks as though it's going ahead?
www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/30/relaxation-of-uk-abortion-rules-welcomed-by-experts-coronavirus?fbclid=IwAR07CQ4dwbTkzkVP18VIcP4WzDRp3qBE9fxY_bRh9A-eUp8PnyWEWcrPCNo

What a relief. A very sensible move from government. That’s great news.

It's going ahead but I think because NI doesn't have any systems in place it won't apply to them (as usual) so women from NI will still have to travel to the mainland. This will be very hard for younger women to keep concealed as we aren't meant to be mixing, so no easy excuses for a day or two absence. Also, very difficult if not impossible to make travel arrangements atm.

Alliance For Choice
@All4Choice
There. Are. No. Flights.
25%+ of clinics are closed in England due to Covid19
People are self isolating.
@healthdpt you can easily fix this.
We specifically asked @NIOgov to include telemedicine,long before this outbreak,and we were ignored.
It's beyond time to listen to us.
twitter.com/All4Choice/status/1244717398298701825

Doctors for Choice NI
@DrsforchoiceNI
We now need @RobinSwannMoH @healthdpt
to take action to ensure NI women have the same vital access to abortion at home during COVID-19 pandemic. Enable abortion at home to keep women and healthcare professionals safe. #StayHomeSaveLives #nowforNI
twitter.com/DrsforchoiceNI/status/1244561151901544448

And twitter.com/All4Choice/status/1243578620544778242

Thanks for that update Sapatsea and stumbledin
FGS why was this not extended to NI?!
What are women there supposed to do for the foreseeable then, use women on web, or what? Why is the government leaving NI women to suffer like this?
Shame on them.

This is generally good but there are obvious problems. Yes this should be sorted for NI quickly

What will happen for any one who needs a surgical abortion?

I dont know if this have been updaed but was published last week
www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-abortion/information-for-women/