Nurses and midwives should be given the authority to approve abortions in the UK, new research suggests.
Under the current law, abortions not signed off by two doctors are considered a criminal offence.
Funded by the NHS, the study ‘Shaping Abortion for Change’ surveyed hundreds of women, GPs, pharmacists, nurses and midwives to find out more about abortions in the UK.
It concluded that nurses and midwives should be granted the power to approve abortions, prescribe abortion medication and perform surgical abortions.
Kaye Wellings, Sacha co-lead and professor of sexual and reproductive health research at LSHTM told The Guardian: “Abortion legislation is more than 50 years old. Since 1967, medical and technological advances have transformed how women access their care. The law needs to be brought up to date with 21st-century opinions and practice,”
Data also revealed that the majority of abortions (87%) are performed via patients taking prescribed abortion medication at home.
Out of the healthcare professionals interviewed, 90% agreed that the decision to have an abortion should lie entirely with the woman. Furthermore, medics said the type of procedure (e.g. surgical, at home etc.) should also be a choice.
There is also a push for abortion to be given more prominence when it comes to professional healthcare training.
Elizabeth Barker, co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on sexual and reproductive health, commented: “There has never been a more important time to look at bringing abortion provision in line with modern healthcare practice.
“I hope to see the government considering how these recommendations can be reflected in abortion policy moving forward.”
Here at MCM Medical we strongly support efforts to modernise Britain’s Abortion Act. We aim to keep you updated on its progress.
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