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2nd April 2021
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In this issue:

READ: (#mattie) (#mattie) Mattie McGrath extracts answer from HSE on extent of their pregnancy ‘counselling’ via Webchat (#mattie)

READ: (#BPAS) Closure of third abortion clinic in England in just over a year following damning safety report (#BPAS)

READ: (#mb) I cried tears of joy” mum says after twins reunited two weeks after birth (#mb)

READ: Argentine judge says new abortion law unconstitutional (#arg)

LISTEN: (#pod) New We Are Human Podcast Episode Released! - Listen to Episode 7 Now! (#pod)

REGISTER NOW: (#event) PLC Network Webinar With Éamon Ó Cuiv on Saturday, 10th April (#nww)

ACTION ALERT: The Pro Life Campaign needs YOU! - Please take our Chnage Begins With You! Survey (#cby)

APPLY NOW: Virtual Internship with the PLC (#7)

Mattie McGrath extracts answer from HSE on extent of their pregnancy ‘counselling’ via Webchat ()
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The HSE has confirmed that its MyOptions helpline engaged with over 1,000 pregnant women via webchat in 2020. That’s almost double the number of ‘counselling’ sessions conducted via webchat over the previous year with women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy.

Let’s think for a second what this signifies. It means that women who are in the process of making what will likely be the most life-changing and consequential decision of their lives are being encouraged by the HSE to make that decision based on a cold and impersonal webchat, where there’s simply no possibility of calmly and comprehensively talking things through.

It is a further betrayal of women and their unborn babies that those in charge of overseeing pregnancy counselling provision in Ireland adopt such a cavalier and indifferent approach. The HSE’s current approach to pregnancy counselling is directly responsible for the over 60% increase in the number of abortions in the first year after its legalisation. It is wholly inappropriate that counselling should be conducted via webchat. Women and their unborn babies deserve better. There is an urgent need for a debate on the way pregnancy counselling is being provided at present. Women are entitled to be given information about positive alternatives to abortion before the abortion takes place.

In the section on the HSE website dealing with webchat, it is mentioned that those seeking assistance will be asked for their phone number if they need contact details of GPs who provide abortion services or medical advice from their nursing team. There is no mention of a phone conversation needing to happen for the purposes of counselling or to discuss proceeding with an abortion.

It is thanks to Mattie McGrath TD that the information has come to light about the number of MyOptions webchat ‘counselling’ sessions currently taking place. The information was provided in reply to a Parliamentary Question submitted to the Minister for Health by Deputy McGrath.
Closure of third abortion clinic in England in just over a year following damning safety report ()
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A BPAS abortion clinic in Brighton is set to close after another damning report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) report found that the abortion clinic failed to “notify CQC when serious incidents occurred”, which is a requirement under the Health and Social Care Act.

It is the third high profile abortion clinic to close in England in just over a year. Earlier this year, the late-term abortion clinic in Streatham South London closed its door and last year Britain’s oldest abortion clinic Calthorpe Clinic in Birmingham ceased operating.

The closure in Brighton was confirmed this week by a senior member of Brighton and Hove City Council. Wistons (BPAS) Clinic in Brighton has been responsible for over 3,000 abortions annually, making it one of the largest abortion clinics in England and Wales.

The closure of the clinic was confirmed this week by a senior member of Brighton & Hove City Council.

The CQC report also found that the lives of women were being put at risk because there was no system to summon medical assistance whilst in the treatment rooms. It also found that the clinic was putting girls between the ages of 13 and 18 at risk, with the report stating that: “Staff did not have any training to support their role in an emergency with young people” and did not “receive training to specifically recognise the signs, and act appropriately, if the condition of a young woman aged between 13 and 18 years starts to deteriorate”.

The frequency of abortion clinics in the UK being criticised and condemned in CQC reports deserves much more media coverage and scrutiny than it is currently receiving. The reports shine a light on the disregard at these facilities for women’s lives as well as for the lives of unborn babies.
I cried tears of joy” mum says after twins reunited two weeks after birth ()
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Laura Hough has described it as “the best day of her life” when her newborn twins were reunited a fortnight after doctors said one of the babies “would not make it”.

Laura was 30 weeks pregnant when her baby boy and girl were delivered via emergency C-section in Liverpool. Babies Neve and Louie were immediately separated into different units of the hospital to receive medical care.

Doctors initially indicated that baby Neve was not likely to survive the pregnancy but after the C-section it was baby Louie who struggled most after his lungs collapsed.

After two weeks of separation, the twin babies were eventually reunited and immediately began cuddling and holding hands.

Proud mum Laura said watching her babies reunited left her “filled with love” and made it “the best day of my life.”

“It was horrible when they were separated at birth, but I cried tears of joy when they got back together,” she said. “They were wrapping their legs around each other and cuddling, even holding hands at one point. They were so cute.”

She thanked the hospital staff in Liverpool, whom she called “absolutely brilliant” for working to save both babies’ lives.
Argentine judge says new abortion law unconstitutional ()
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A judge in the Province of San Luis Argentina has declared the new law permitting abortion on demand in Argentina as unconstitutional. Judge María Eugenia Bona found that the recently introduced law is in conflict with provincial law, which provides protection for unborn babies. She made her find in response to a suit filed by the former national senator, Liliana Teresita Negre.

Despite Judge Bona’s decision, abortion will continue to be available in the province until the Supreme Court of Argentina rules on the matter.
New We Are Human Podcast Episode Released! - Listen to Episode 7 Now! ()
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In this episode, we are delighted to be joined by Elizabeth Howard, spokesperson for UK group “Be Here For Me”. Elizabeth shares her experience, the legal threat of censorship zones outside of abortion facilities in the UK and the battle they’ve faced, similar to our own, in protecting the right of pro-life people to peacefully assemble. She also speaks about the incredible impact offering practical support to women, simply saying we're here for you.

Listen on Soundcloud
Here ([link removed])

Listen on Spotify Here ([link removed])
Register Now for PLC Network Webinar With Éamon Ó Cuiv on Saturday, 10th April ()
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Join Our PLC Network Webinar with special guest Éamon Ó Cuiv, Fianna Fáil TD and former Minister who will discuss strategies for engaging with the Three Year Review of the abortion law from 11AM to 12NOON on Saturday,10th April.

The webinar will also include a grassroots activists panel discussion!

Participation is free but pre-registration is essential.

Register here ([link removed])
The Pro Life Campaign Needs YOU! - Please take our Change Begins With You! Survey ()
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The Pro Life Campaign needs you! Your skills, knowledge and commitment can help us to work towards a brighter future.

Please take a moment to fill in our survey
and remember - Change Begins With YOU!

Survey Link Here ([link removed])

The aim of this campaign is to encourage people to get involved with the PLC. We really need your help with this.

We are looking for some motivational videos and pictures. If you could take a few minutes today or tomorrow to do any of the following this would really help make a difference

- TAKE A SHORT VIDEO of yourself (20 Seconds max) telling people why you are pro-life or your favourite pro-life quote and encouraging other people to get involved - finish with the words "Change begins with you"

and/or

- TAKE A SELFIE of yourself holding up a homemade sign with the words "Change begins with You!"

Please text or whatsapp 0868246507, or send by email to
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
APPLY NOW - Virtual Internship with the PLC ()

Would you like to experience working with a pro-active Human Rights organisation?

If you would like, APPLY HERE ([link removed]) to our exciting virtual intern programme for students!
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Participants on the programme will have an opportunity to network with other young people and develop skills in advocacy, campaign management and project planning.

Internships run for one-week periods and are suitable for second level (Transition year or older) and third level students.

Each intern will do 4 hours supervised work each day and will be working on areas such as social media, contact with members of the movement nationwide, project planning and contributing to support work for women and their babies.

Internships are not paid, however expenses will be covered.

If you or a family member is interested, please complete the below form and we will be in touch with you presently. Placements are subject to availability.

Thank you!

Apply Now by filling in the application form ([link removed])
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Vital Signs is the e-newsletter of the Pro Life Campaign. We hope you and your families are keeping well in these unusual times. This email is to update you on what we have been working on recently, including news stories, project updates, and details of upcoming events. If you want to get in touch with us please do so by emailing [email protected]

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