The 1967 Abortion Act, which came into effect 40 years ago this year, has never been significantly updated. It desperately needs modernising in a number of important ways, in line with best clinical practice in Britain, other European countries, the United States and the World Health Organisation safe abortion guidance. Moreover, society’s concern for basic human rights and equality for all UK citizens demands an end to 40 years of discrimination and inequity, which can be rectified by extending the 1967 Abortion Act to Northern Ireland.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology (HFE) Bill offers the first opportunity since 1990 to bring the 1967 Abortion Act into line with good medical practice and to rectify the long-standing injustice relating to the health needs of women in Northern Ireland. Many MPs who had concerns about the upper time limit have stated that they nevertheless believe that if abortions are going to take place they should take place as early as possible in gestation.
On 22nd October, when the HFE Bill reaches Report Stage, MPs will have the opportunity to improve women’s reproductive healthcare in Britain for decades to come. MPs from the three main parties have tabled amendments to modernise the 1967 Abortion Act in England, Wales and Scotland, in line with government sexual health policies, which aim to provide medical care closer to home, with greater patient choice.
Pro-choice amendments:
New Clause 1 & 13: Removing the legal requirement for two doctors’ signatures to authorise abortions which can delay and is clinically redundant.
New Clause 2 & 14: Allowing suitably trained nurses and other health care practitioners to carry out abortions.
New Clause 7 & 10: Extending the locations where abortions can take place to primary care level.
New Clause 9: Allowing women the choice to be at home to complete early medical abortion.
New Clause 11: Ensuring that anti-abortion organisations are transparent about their position when offering pregnancy “counselling”.
New Clause 12: Clarify the limit of conscientious objection in respect of contraception provision.
New Clause 30: Extending the 1967 Abortion Act to Northern Ireland.
Related Documents
Download the Science and Technology Committee’s report “Scientific Developments Relating to the Abortion Act 1967“