Dear
SPUC supporter,
We wanted to let you know that Women’s Health Minister Maree Todd announced today that the home abortions scheme in Scotland is to continue.
However, in a letter to Committee members, she revealed that she has made the decision before a promised safety evaluation is completed.
She wrote:
“The evaluation will consider data regarding the safety of current EMAH arrangements, patient views, views of NHS staff working in abortion services and reviewing the procedures of each NHS Board to identify areas of good practice.
It is expected to be completed before the end of this year.
…Based on the views of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health I consider that the current arrangements should be able to continue, but I will review the arrangements once the evaluation has been completed.”
Not a model of care
This is a reckless policy which leaves women to suffer the effects of abortion at home, with no medical supervision or support, and then forces them to dispose of foetal remains on their own. This policy even deprives women of the opportunity to meet with a doctor in person. This is not a model of care.
They have not even bothered to wait for the results of their own safety evaluation.
The Scottish Government may think this decision is ‘progressive’, but what is progressive about leaving women to bleed away their baby at home, with no medical care? This is a cruel policy which is nothing more than state-sponsored backstreet abortion.
It also ignores the concerns that the majority of the Scottish public have about DIY abortion. In the Government’s consultation on making the policy permanent, 74% of respondents felt the impact of the current arrangements on women's safety was negative compared to 21% who felt they were positive. Furthermore, a ComRes poll found that 84% of Scottish adults say they are concerned about women being at risk of being coerced into an abortion by a partner or family member with a telemedicine abortion appointment where the doctor has not seen the woman in person.
SPUC is still urging the Scottish Government to listen to Scottish voices, listen to Scottish women and reverse this dangerous policy. We continue to fight.
With thanks for your support,,
|
|
|
|
