SPUC is calling on its supporters to contact health ministers in their respective nations to urge them not to cave in to the demands of the abortion industry by allowing the home DIY abortion scheme to become permanent. The scheme was rolled out during the COVID-19 pandemic
SPUC has made it clear that since DIY home abortion was introduced two years ago, an abundance of evidence has come to light showing just how dangerous the scheme is.
Freedom of Information responses from NHS Trusts in England have revealed that 5.9 per cent of women using abortion drugs were subsequently treated in hospital for complications arising from an incomplete abortion.
Data from NHS Ambulance Services indicate that, on average, 36 women make 999 calls every month seeking medical assistance for complications arising from taking abortion pills.
Despite these facts, abortion providers seek a renewal of the scheme, which is set to expire on 30 March 2022. The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), MSI Reproductive Choices and NUPAS in England have written to Maggie Throup, the minister for Vaccines and Public Health, to say that the consequences would be “disastrous” if the policy is withdrawn as originally planned.
BPAS is even asking supporters to tell the Minister that it would be “utterly cruel” to end the scheme.
We must end this “horrific” policy
Reacting to BPAS’s comments, Alithea Williams, SPUC’s Public Policy Manager, said:
“We know that what is ‘utterly cruel’ is sending women pills for them to bleed their baby away at home, without even seeing a medical professional. Now is the time to remind our politicians of their promise that the home abortions policy would be a temporary emergency measure.
“When this scheme was imposed it received no parliamentary scrutiny. Now that the provisions of the Coronavirus Act are due to expire, so must this reckless and deadly home abortion policy.
“We’re now encouraging people in England to ask their MPs to lobby Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and Maggie Throup to end the scheme as the Government had previously promised.
“People living in Scotland should ask their MSPs to lobby Humza Yousaf MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care. The Scottish Government did not set a date for the policy to end but said it was being implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our supporters in Wales should call on Members of the Senedd to contact Eluned Morgan MS, Minister for Health and Social Services. Approval in Wales was also tied to the 2020 Coronavirus Act, which expires on 30 March.
“We must make a final push to remove this horrific DIY home abortion policy before it harms more women and ends the lives of more babies.”
Anyone wishing to write to their elected representatives can find further information on the Pills by Post scheme in SPUC’s Case Against DIY abortions briefing, and on the Care for Women website.