New Safe Access Zones Come Into Effect

New Safe Access Zones have come into effect today, 29 September, at eight health trust sites across NI.

The Zones are now in operation at premises run by five Health and Social Care Trusts.

These are:

• Southern Trust, Craigavon Area Hospital, 100m

• Southern Trust, Daisy Hill Hospital, 130m

• Belfast Trust, College Street, 130m

• Belfast Trust, Bradbury Wellbeing and Treatment Centre, 150m

• Northern Trust, Causeway Hospital, 100m

• Western Trust, Altnagelvin Hospital, 100m

• South Eastern Trust, Lagan Valley Hospital, 100m

• South Eastern Trust, Ulster Hospital, 100m

Safe Access Zones have been established under NI Assembly legislation, Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act (Northern Ireland) 2023, to protect women and girls accessing abortion services, information, advice and counselling, and protect staff working at these locations. It is illegal for them to be impeded, recorded, influenced or to be caused harassment, alarm or distress within the Zones.

Welcoming the move, the Alliance Party's Paula Bradshaw said: "I sat on the former Health Committee that scrutinised this Bill and having heard all the evidence presented to us, I am delighted to see this date finally arrive.

"We heard many harrowing and deeply troubling stories from women, their loved ones and healthcare providers themselves who had to run the gauntlet in trying to access the health care facilities.

"Let's hope the introduction of these zones will send a strong signal that intimidating and intrusive behaviour is not acceptable by society and will not be tolerated under the law."