SPUC has sent out a clarion call to supporters throughout England to respond to the Government’s consultation on whether dangerous DIY abortions in England should be made permanent.

“It’s time for us to tell the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) that the DIY abortion scheme has got to stop,” said Antonia Tully SPUC Director of Campaigns.

“Question number ten in the DHSC consultation enables us to say that DIY abortions must ‘end immediately’. I hope that every pro-lifer in England will take this opportunity to make their voice heard through the consultation. This barbaric scheme must not be made permanent.”

The DIY abortion scheme was introduced in March 2020 as a temporary measure in response to the pandemic. Under the scheme abortion providers can send women abortions pills through the post following a phone or video consultation. The woman then performs her own abortion at home with no medical supervision.

“Sending abortion pills through the post to women is the most radical change to abortion provision in 50 years,” said Antonia Tully. “The experience for women can be traumatic. The abortion providers seem not to care that they could be sending powerful abortion drugs to women who have been coerced into abortion. Pills could be sent to women who are past the ten-week pregnancy limit, which can give rise to complications for the woman. The risks for women are huge. And an unborn baby dies in every completed abortion.”

The DHSC consultation, which relates England only, runs until 26 February 2021. SPUC’s briefing is here.

The Scottish Government’s consultation on DIY abortions ends on 5 January 2021 and the briefing is here.

The Welsh Government has launched a consultation and SPUC will be producing a briefing soon.