The latest news from bpas

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Dear John,

It’s been a busy year at bpas and we’ve seen lots of developments, including the introduction of the UK’s second buffer zone and the historic decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland. We’ve also campaigned hard for better access to emergency contraception, equal access to IVF, flour fortification to prevent neural tube defects, and much more.

As 2019 draws to a close, here’s your final round-up of the latest news:

The election result: what does it mean for reproductive choice?

We had a brilliant response to our My Pledge Her Choice campaign, with over 300 candidates from across all the main political parties signing up. A huge thank you to everybody who took part. We’re also delighted that so many pro-choice advocates from across the political spectrum have retained their seats, and we look forward to hearing from pro-reform Northern Irish MPs Stephen Farry and Claire Hanna too.

With so many brand new MPs in the Commons, we have plenty of work to do in the new year to engage them and ensure they represent the pro-choice majority. Stay tuned to hear how you can help.

“Better for Women”: new report from the RCOG calls for abortion to be decriminalised

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has called for abortion to be decriminalised in a new report, “Better for Women”, which also recommends better access to emergency contraception alongside several other measures to improve women’s health. You can read it here ([link removed][UNIQID]) .

Improving access to the pill – can you help?

The MHRA is looking for patient representatives who currently use oral contraception and are over 18 to take part in a stakeholder meeting about improving access to contraceptive pills. It is a one-day commitment, with expenses paid. For more information please email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

Stock up on emergency contraception this Christmas

Online pharmacy Dr Fox is now selling emergency contraception for just £3 – the lowest price we’ve seen. This illustrates just how cheaply the progesterone-only product can be produced and that women are still being ripped off by inflated prices in high street pharmacies.

With Christmas just around the corner, we’re recommending women buy emergency contraception to keep in the cupboard just in case – especially because we know lots of women can struggle to access their normal contraception over the festive period. You can purchase emergency contraception for £3 here ([link removed][UNIQID]) .

We’re charity of the month in the British Journal of Midwifery

We are very proud to be the British Journal of Midwifery’s charity of the month. This issue’s “Charity Spotlight” feature highlights the tireless work our midwives do every day for women, whether it’s providing care in our clinics or advocating for legal reform. The piece is behind a pay wall, but here’s a quote from it by bpas midwife Cheryl, along with a picture of our staff accepting a BJM award last year!

“Midwives have never sat back and accepted inequalities in healthcare provision. It is within our gift and our duty as advocates for women to push for change, to say that we trust women to make their own decisions, and that we will support them with the safest, highest quality care available. We will always be there to hold their hand, but with the other hand we must break the glass ceiling.”
- Cheryl, Midwife and Associate Director, bpas
Champion of Choice

And finally, our last champion of choice this year is Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who recently spoke to the BBC about how restrictive abortion laws impact the poorest women. Watch a clip here ([link removed][UNIQID]) .

Thanks to all of you for your support this year. We wish you a very happy Christmas.

Best wishes,

The bpas team


** Our work
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We Trust Women

Under a law from 1861 any woman, anywhere in the UK, can go to prison for ending a pregnancy without the permission of two doctors. MPs support change, but we need the opportunity to make it happen. We are considering several legislative routes, including one based on the forthcoming Domestic Abuse Bill.
Preventing clinic protests

Anti-abortion activism targeted at clinics is on the rise in the UK. We are working to introduce buffer zones around abortion clinics to protect women and staff from intimidation and harassment. So far two buffer zones have been introduced, and more are in the pipeline.
Fighting the two-child benefits cap

The two-child benefits cap pushes families into poverty and impacts women's reproductive decisions. We are working with other UK charities to fight it. Read our briefing here ([link removed][UNIQID]) .
Just Say Non!

Our campaign for accessible emergency contraception has seen prices slashed across major pharmacy chains. We're now working to make it available straight from the pharmacy shelf, without a mandatory consultation – as already happens in the USA, Canada, and many European countries.
Improving access to contraception

We're working with pharmacists nationwide to improve access to several methods of contraception, including the injection and the pill.
Working with women in prisons

Our contraceptive counselling & well woman advice service in Europe's largest women’s prison, HMP Bronzefield, was an RCNi Nurse Awards ([link removed][UNIQID]) finalist. We provide confidential, non-judgemental counselling & education to aid women's wellbeing & rehabilitation.
Decriminalisation further afield

We’ve been working with pro-choice campaigners and the governments of the Isle of Man and Gibraltar to change their laws outlawing abortion and help them provide care for their citizens.
Wrisk

Women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy are bombarded with public health messages, for example about what to eat, drink, how much they should weigh, and what medications they should or shouldn’t take. The WRISK project ([link removed][UNIQID]) aims to understand and improve the communication of risk in pregnancy, to make things better for women.

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