Early medical abortion at home

Views are to be sought on extending the current arrangements for early medical abortion at home once coronavirus (COVID-19) is no longer a significant threat.

During the pandemic, women have been able to take both pills required for an early medical abortion at home, where it is considered clinically appropriate.

The current arrangements will remain in place as long as the virus remains a risk, but a wide range of views – including from women who have had the treatment are now being sought through a consultation on making the current arrangements permanent.

Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said:

“All women in Scotland should have access to clinically safe abortion services, within the limits of the law, should they require this.

“The current arrangements were put in place to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and ensure continued access to abortion services, without delays, during this pandemic.

“This consultation allows will allow us to gather as much evidence as possible to help inform future arrangements."

Background

The consultation is available online and will run from 30 September until 5 January 2021.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Public Health Minister signed a new approval, allowing women to take both pills required for an early medical abortion at home, where they wish to and where it is considered clinically appropriate. The approval was signed on 30 March