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31/08/2011
Abortion Advice To Change
The Department of Health is expected to stop organisations such as Marie Stopes and the British Pregnancy Advisory Service providing counselling to women contemplating abortions.
The move is believed to be a response to a move by Conservative backbench MP Nadine Dorries and the Labour backbencher Frank Field who have proposed changes to abortion legislation, which they claim will reduce the UKs record abortion rate.
The 'pro-life' campaign has called for an end to the clinics themselves offering compulsory counselling for abortions, switching the service to independent organisations.
Campaigners believe the change would result in up to 60,000 fewer abortions each year in Britain and argue that as the charities who carry out abortion gain financially out of the procedures they should not be the ones to provide advice to women.
Speaking on Wednesday, MP Dorries said: "I'll say it again, no organisation which is paid for carrying out abortions and no organisation that thinks it's appropriate to bring God into a counselling session with a vulnerable woman, should be allowed anywhere near the counselling room."
However, Baroness Deech, who served for eight years as head of the Human Fertility and Embryology Authority, said the plans to offer all women thinking of have an abortion independent counselling were merely a "smokescreen" to limit a woman's right to choose.
The Baroness added that the measure would have the effect of reducing funding for charities, which offer abortions by removing the right for them to provide counselling themselves.
Ms Dorries comments come after a heated exchange on Newsnight, which she says has led to "another wave of abusive phone messages, emails and letters".
"Last week the Police rang after tracing the author of one of the death threats and asked me should they prosecute, I said no. I said no because I assume that people write such things and then probably regret it later. That policy has changed from today."
Ministers are hoping that the Department of Health's guidance would pacify MP Dorries and Field to remove their amendment tabled for September 6.
(DW/BMcC)
The move is believed to be a response to a move by Conservative backbench MP Nadine Dorries and the Labour backbencher Frank Field who have proposed changes to abortion legislation, which they claim will reduce the UKs record abortion rate.
The 'pro-life' campaign has called for an end to the clinics themselves offering compulsory counselling for abortions, switching the service to independent organisations.
Campaigners believe the change would result in up to 60,000 fewer abortions each year in Britain and argue that as the charities who carry out abortion gain financially out of the procedures they should not be the ones to provide advice to women.
Speaking on Wednesday, MP Dorries said: "I'll say it again, no organisation which is paid for carrying out abortions and no organisation that thinks it's appropriate to bring God into a counselling session with a vulnerable woman, should be allowed anywhere near the counselling room."
However, Baroness Deech, who served for eight years as head of the Human Fertility and Embryology Authority, said the plans to offer all women thinking of have an abortion independent counselling were merely a "smokescreen" to limit a woman's right to choose.
The Baroness added that the measure would have the effect of reducing funding for charities, which offer abortions by removing the right for them to provide counselling themselves.
Ms Dorries comments come after a heated exchange on Newsnight, which she says has led to "another wave of abusive phone messages, emails and letters".
"Last week the Police rang after tracing the author of one of the death threats and asked me should they prosecute, I said no. I said no because I assume that people write such things and then probably regret it later. That policy has changed from today."
Ministers are hoping that the Department of Health's guidance would pacify MP Dorries and Field to remove their amendment tabled for September 6.
(DW/BMcC)
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01 September 2011
Gov U-Turn On Abortion Vote
The government has reversed its decision over the removal of the responsibility of charities and medics to provide counselling to women seeking an abortion.
Gov U-Turn On Abortion Vote
The government has reversed its decision over the removal of the responsibility of charities and medics to provide counselling to women seeking an abortion.
19 June 2008
Figures Show Abortion Increase In Teenage Girls
New figures published today have shown a rise in abortions among young girls. The Department of Health has released statistics revealing how many women had abortions in 2007. The number of abortions among girls aged under 16 rose by 10% to 4,376 in 2007. In the under 14s, abortions rose by 21% from 135 in 2006 to 163 in 2006.
Figures Show Abortion Increase In Teenage Girls
New figures published today have shown a rise in abortions among young girls. The Department of Health has released statistics revealing how many women had abortions in 2007. The number of abortions among girls aged under 16 rose by 10% to 4,376 in 2007. In the under 14s, abortions rose by 21% from 135 in 2006 to 163 in 2006.
23 July 2010
Fifth Of Teens Pregnant At 18
One in five teenage girls has been pregnant at least once by the age of 18, according to the latest Government figures. The figures, from a Department of Education study of 8,500 teenagers, found that more than eight of ten boys and girls questioned said that they were sexually active by the time they turned 18.
Fifth Of Teens Pregnant At 18
One in five teenage girls has been pregnant at least once by the age of 18, according to the latest Government figures. The figures, from a Department of Education study of 8,500 teenagers, found that more than eight of ten boys and girls questioned said that they were sexually active by the time they turned 18.
21 September 2005
Late abortion referrals case ruled legal
A charity that referred a woman seeking a late abortion to a clinic abroad did not break the law, an inquiry has concluded. The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) launched an investigation into the handling of late abortion cases by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, following newspaper allegations.
Late abortion referrals case ruled legal
A charity that referred a woman seeking a late abortion to a clinic abroad did not break the law, an inquiry has concluded. The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) launched an investigation into the handling of late abortion cases by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, following newspaper allegations.
25 June 2010
Foetus 'Can't Feel Pain Before 24 Weeks'
A study has found that human foetuses do not feel pain before 24 weeks. The report by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) showed that the foetus, while in the chemical environment of the womb, is in a state of induced sleep and unconscious. This could mean that late abortions may not result in foetal suffering.
Foetus 'Can't Feel Pain Before 24 Weeks'
A study has found that human foetuses do not feel pain before 24 weeks. The report by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) showed that the foetus, while in the chemical environment of the womb, is in a state of induced sleep and unconscious. This could mean that late abortions may not result in foetal suffering.
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