Early medical abortion at home: consultation
We are seeking views on the future arrangements for early medical abortion at home across Scotland. The responses will help to inform our decision on whether the current arrangements should continue once there is no longer a significant risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Annex A: Early Medical Abortion at Home – Current COVID-19 Approval
The Abortion Act 1967 (Place for Treatment for the Termination of Pregnancy) (Approval) (Scotland) 2020
The Scottish Ministers make the following approval in exercise of the powers conferred by section 1(3) and (3A) of the Abortion Act 1967[13], and all other powers enabling them to do so.
Commencement
1. This approval comes into force on the day after the day on which it is made.
Interpretation
2. In this approval-"coronavirus" means severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2;"home" means the place in Scotland where a pregnant woman is ordinarily resident;"pregnancy" and "pregnant woman" are to be construed by reference to the Abortion Act 1967; and"treatment" means the taking of the medicines known as mifepristone and misoprostol or, where the manner of treatment is that specified in paragraph 5, the taking of the medicine known as misoprostol alone.
Approval of class of place
3. The home of a pregnant woman who is undergoing treatment for the purposes of termination of her pregnancy is approved as a class of place where treatment for termination of pregnancy may be carried out where that treatment is carried out in the manner specified in either paragraph 5 or paragraph 6.
4. Treatment may only be carried out in the manner specified in paragraph 6 where, in circumstances where there is a serious and imminent threat to public health posed by the incidence and spread of coronavirus in Scotland, a registered medical practitioner or registered nurse acting under the direction of a registered medical practitioner considers that it is not advisable or not possible for the pregnant woman to attend a clinic.
5. The treatment must be carried out in the following manner-(a) the pregnant woman has attended a clinic where she has been prescribed mifepristone and misoprostol to be taken for the purposes of termination of her pregnancy; and(b) the pregnant woman has taken mifepristone at that clinic and wants to carry out the treatment at home.
6. The treatment must be carried out in the following manner-(a) the pregnant woman has had a consultation with a registered medical practitioner or registered nurse acting under the direction of a registered medical practitioner by means of video link or telephone and has been prescribed mifepristone and misoprostol to be taken for the purposes of termination of her pregnancy; and(b) the pregnant woman wants to carry out the treatment at home.
Revocation
7. The Abortion Act 1967 (Place for Treatment for the Termination of Pregnancy) (Approval) (Scotland) 2017[14] is revoked.
Authorised to sign by the Scottish Ministers
30 March 2020
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