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| MPs call to make abortion easier | MPs call to make abortion easier |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| There is no reason why women seeking an abortion should need the approval of two doctors, a group of MPs has said. | |
| A report by the Commons science and technology committee found the requirement did not serve a useful purpose and might be causing delays. | A report by the Commons science and technology committee found the requirement did not serve a useful purpose and might be causing delays. |
| MPs also rejected calls from anti-abortion campaigners to lower the 24-week time limit for a termination. | |
| They said although survival rates for babies born at 24 weeks had improved, they had not done so below that point. | They said although survival rates for babies born at 24 weeks had improved, they had not done so below that point. |
| Not all members of the cross-party committee agreed with the report's findings, however. | Not all members of the cross-party committee agreed with the report's findings, however. |
| We have focused on the science, and have done so rigorously Phil Willis, committee chairman | |
| Two MPs published a separate report, claiming they had been misled on survival rates and also on the question of whether foetuses could feel pain. | Two MPs published a separate report, claiming they had been misled on survival rates and also on the question of whether foetuses could feel pain. |
| The main report also called for more involvement by nurses in early abortions. | The main report also called for more involvement by nurses in early abortions. |
| It said nurses and midwives with suitable training and professional guidance should not be prevented from carrying out all stages of early medical abortions, which involves the use of drugs, and early surgical abortions. | It said nurses and midwives with suitable training and professional guidance should not be prevented from carrying out all stages of early medical abortions, which involves the use of drugs, and early surgical abortions. |
| There was no evidence such a move would compromise patient safety or quality of care, the committee's report found. | There was no evidence such a move would compromise patient safety or quality of care, the committee's report found. |
| 'Complex' | |
| Committee chairman Phil Willis said: "Abortion is a complex issue. As a science and technology committee, we have focused on the science, and have done so rigorously. | |
| "In our inquiry we have attempted to sift the evidence on scientific and medical developments since the last amendment of the law in 1990 and since the 1967 Act." | |
| He urged all MPs and the public to study the evidence and their conclusions. | |
| The matter will now be debated in the House of Commons. | |
| Pro-choice and anti-abortion MPs are expected to table amendments to the forthcoming Human Tissue and Embryos Bill in light of the committee's findings. |