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NI abortion guidelines published NI abortion guidelines published
(about 10 hours later)
The Department of Health has for the first time published guidance to health professionals in Northern Ireland on terminating pregnancy. The Department of Health has, for the first time, published guidance to health professionals in Northern Ireland on terminating pregnancy.
The move will not change the law on abortion.The move will not change the law on abortion.
However, the guidelines are designed to make clear exactly what is and what is not permitted.However, the guidelines are designed to make clear exactly what is and what is not permitted.
The Royal College of Midwives has said they will also bring greater clarity to the legal position of staff who take part in terminations.The Royal College of Midwives has said they will also bring greater clarity to the legal position of staff who take part in terminations.
As the law stands it is illegal for a woman in NI to have an abortion except in cases where her life is at risk. As the law stands it is illegal for a woman in Northern Ireland to have an abortion except in cases where her life is at risk.
Up until now there have been no guidelines for the likes of nurses, doctors and GPs to turn to when they have been faced with terminating a pregnancy. The document explains the circumstances of when a termination may be carried out.
In 2001, the Family Planning Association began campaigning for such guidelines to be published. It provides guidance on the giving of informed consent from the mother, the provision of counselling both before and after the termination and the responsibility of health and social care organisations to develop and distribute relevant leaflets.
Nursing staff who, on the grounds of conscience, do not wish to assist or perform a termination will also have their rights protected.
'Acknowledgment'
Audrey Simpson from the Family Planning Association said the guidelines were the first step towards the government acknowledging that women in certain circumstances have the right to an abortion.
"I think it's the first time the Department of Health has had to acknowledge that women in Northern Ireland are no different from women in the rest of the UK," she said.
"That they want to access abortion services and in fact they are accessing abortion services."
The Family Planning Association began campaigning for such guidelines to be published in 2001.
Three years later the Court of Appeal ruled that the Department of Health should inquire into the provision of termination services in Northern Ireland.Three years later the Court of Appeal ruled that the Department of Health should inquire into the provision of termination services in Northern Ireland.
The Family Planning Association has said the publication of the guidelines is the first step towards the government acknowledging that women in certain circumstances have the right to an abortion. Up until now there have been no guidelines for nurses, doctors and GPs when they have been faced with terminating a pregnancy.
"I think it is the first time the Department of Health has had to formally acknowledge that women in Northern Ireland are no different from women in the rest of the UK, that they want to access abortion services and in fact they are accessing abortion services.
"I think it's also historic because it's very clearly saying abortion in Northern Ireland is not illegal - it is legal in certain circumstances," the FPA's Audrey Simpson said.