This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/30/concern-over-abortion-clinic-inspections
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Concern over abortion clinic inspections | Concern over abortion clinic inspections |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| As organisations concerned with women's health and welfare we welcome the response of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to the Care Quality Commission inspections of abortion clinics (Anti-abortion campaigners could exploit clinic inspections, say doctors, 30 May). We agree with Dr Anthony Falconer and Dr Christopher Wilkinson's assessment that the raids and subsequent disciplining of doctors will be detrimental to women's health by contributing to an atmosphere in which women may be deterred or delayed from accessing services, and doctors will be apprehensive about delivering an abortion service at all. | As organisations concerned with women's health and welfare we welcome the response of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to the Care Quality Commission inspections of abortion clinics (Anti-abortion campaigners could exploit clinic inspections, say doctors, 30 May). We agree with Dr Anthony Falconer and Dr Christopher Wilkinson's assessment that the raids and subsequent disciplining of doctors will be detrimental to women's health by contributing to an atmosphere in which women may be deterred or delayed from accessing services, and doctors will be apprehensive about delivering an abortion service at all. |
| While we agree with the Department of Health that "it is essential that [women] get proper advice and medical attention", the CQC investigations did not assess the quality of care and advice provided to women, but only whether clinics' paperwork and processes complied with legal requirements. There is no evidence from this series of investigations that women are receiving poor care from abortion clinics. In fact, there have been significant improvements in accessibility of services and reduced waiting times during the past decade. It would be a tragedy for women if there were to be a set back in these advances. | While we agree with the Department of Health that "it is essential that [women] get proper advice and medical attention", the CQC investigations did not assess the quality of care and advice provided to women, but only whether clinics' paperwork and processes complied with legal requirements. There is no evidence from this series of investigations that women are receiving poor care from abortion clinics. In fact, there have been significant improvements in accessibility of services and reduced waiting times during the past decade. It would be a tragedy for women if there were to be a set back in these advances. |
| The law requiring two doctors' signatures was introduced to provide legal protection for doctors, not as a guarantee of good care for women. If good care and a rigid interpretation of the law are no longer compatible, we suggest that it is the law, not doctor's practice, that should be reviewed. Ann Henderson Abortion Rights, Ceri Goddard Fawcett Society, Goretti Horgan Alliance for Choice (Northern Ireland), Jane Fisher Antenatal Results and Choices, Pavan Dhaliwal British Humanist Association, Ann Furedi BPAS, Simon Blake Brook, Lisa Hallgarten Education for Choice, Vicky Claeys International Planned Parenthood Federation, Tracey McNeill Marie Stopes, Dr Ellie Lee Pro-Choice Forum, Frances O'Grady TUC, Elli Moody UK Feminista, Zoe Palmer Women's Health and Equality Consortium | The law requiring two doctors' signatures was introduced to provide legal protection for doctors, not as a guarantee of good care for women. If good care and a rigid interpretation of the law are no longer compatible, we suggest that it is the law, not doctor's practice, that should be reviewed. Ann Henderson Abortion Rights, Ceri Goddard Fawcett Society, Goretti Horgan Alliance for Choice (Northern Ireland), Jane Fisher Antenatal Results and Choices, Pavan Dhaliwal British Humanist Association, Ann Furedi BPAS, Simon Blake Brook, Lisa Hallgarten Education for Choice, Vicky Claeys International Planned Parenthood Federation, Tracey McNeill Marie Stopes, Dr Ellie Lee Pro-Choice Forum, Frances O'Grady TUC, Elli Moody UK Feminista, Zoe Palmer Women's Health and Equality Consortium |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe. |