20 March 2009

Speaking today on the publication of the ‘Guidance on the Termination of Pregnancy: The Law and Clinical Practice in Northern Ireland’ by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Director of fpa Northern Ireland, Dr Audrey Simpson OBE said:

“We welcome today’s publication of the Guidance, especially as fpa has spent the last eight years pursuing the Department through the courts to make it happen. Before today guidance for clinical practice simply didn’t exist, and healthcare professionals operated in a void. This new document gives much needed structure and direction to abortion services. It will be of great benefit to health professionals across Northern Ireland and the thousands of women in the country who need an abortion.

“We’re pleased to see recommendations to provide paths of referral for women between the Health and Social Care Board, Public Health Agency and HSC Trusts in Northern Ireland. A new instruction to health and social care organisations to provide written information to women about abortion is a positive step forward. It will help clear the confusion women in crisis pregnancies cope with because they’re not told what their options are.

“But,” said Audrey, “fetal abnormality still isn’t considered grounds for abortion here. Consequently, Northern Ireland women are living under a prehistoric Victorian law created at a time of workhouses and child labour[1]. This law has devastating effects on women’s mental, physical health and wellbeing. It is at complete odds with progressive healthcare and discriminates between women in Northern Ireland and women in the rest of the UK.

“Working together across all agencies involved in abortion and reproductive healthcare to make sure words become accepted practice is fpa’s top priority," she concluded.

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For further information please contact Dr Audrey Simpson on 028 90 316 102 or 07985 382 702 or fpa’s press office on 020 7608 5265/5264. Mobile 07958 921060.

fpa (Family Planning Association) is the only registered charity working to improve the sexual health and reproductive rights of all people throughout the UK.

Notes to editors

[1] The 1861 Offences Against the Person Act forms the basis of Northern Ireland’s Abortion laws. It classifies abortion as a felony and makes it a criminal offence to have an unlawful abortion or to perform one.

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