SPUC fears Northern Ireland draft abortion guidelines could make matters worse Belfast, - New guidelines on abortion in Northern Ireland could lead to an increase in the number of abortions in the Province, the pro-life movement has warned today. The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children has accused the health department of failing to recognise the full legal protection for unborn children in Northern Ireland law. Mr Liam Gibson, the Society's development officer in Northern Ireland, said: "When the Court of Appeal instructed the health department to issue guidelines the Court hoped that they would be written in a way that would reduce the number of abortions. However, many of the positive aspects of that ruling have either been watered down or ignored and the draft guidance simply reflects the pro-abortion ethos of the British medical establishment. While these guidelines cannot change the law they have the potential to radically effect its implementation. "Areas which cause particular concern include the right of clinicians to not facilitate abortions, the potential for secret abortions for underage girls, the scope and accuracy of the information on the effects of abortion and the unnecessary haste shown in the recommended deadlines for abortions to be carried out. The public will not have any say on the implementation of these guidelines so they should ask their politicians to tell the Health Minister to ensure that the final text of the guidance upholds the legal protection of the unborn child," said Mr Gibson.