Early medical abortion at home - future arrangements: consultation analysis

Footnotes

1. It should be noted that the Right to Life standard campaign responses received stated 'Positive Impact' at this question, however, all qualitative comments discussed negative impacts. Therefore, it was assumed that the 'positive impact' rating was an error on the campaign template and so it was amended within this report to ensure the intentions of the campaign are accurately represented.

2. The current temporary approval in England allows eligible women to take both pills for early medical abortion up to 10 weeks gestation at home, following a telephone or e-consultation with a clinician.

3. It should be noted that NICE guidelines already recommend that Anti-D is not required for medical abortions where women are under 10 weeks' gestation. SACP guidelines also recommended that once Covid-19 is no longer considered a significant risk, women between 10 and 11+6 weeks should again be given Anti-D where appropriate.

4. However, it should be noted that, while abortion rates did increase in March and April 2020, there has not as yet been an overall increase. See COVID-19 wider impacts on the health care system

5. Chapter 15 - Abortion and Interpersonal Relationships, p.218.

6. See Termination of Pregnancy Statistics 25 August 2020 - Data & intelligence from PHS (isdscotland.org)

7. Ibid

8. Emerson P, Dodds N, Green D.R. and Jansen J.O., 2017. Geographical access to critical care services in Scotland. Journal of the Intensive Care Society. 19(1), pp. 6-14.

9. Ibid.

10. Ni inimaki M et al. (2009) Immediate Complications After Medical Compared With Surgical Termination of Pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol 114:795-804.

11. A few respondents identified more than one suggestion.

12. Letter from Chief Medical Officer: Abortion – Improvement to Existing Services –Approval for Misoprostol to be taken at Home, p.5.

13. It should be noted that the campaign responses received stated 'Positive Impact' at this question at the closed element, but all comments provided at the open element discussed negative impacts throughout. As such, it was assumed that the 'positive impact' rating was an error on the campaign template and therefore amended within this report to ensure the intentions of the campaign are communicated.

14. Nonverbal communication

15. Majority of GPs plan to continue with remote consultations and triage post COVID-19 - MDU survey

16. For example see NICE guidelines - decision aids for patients- abortion-before-14-weeks-choosing-between-medical-or-surgical-abortion-patient-decision-aid-pdf-6906582255 (nice.org.uk)

17. As noted previously, NICE guidelines already recommend that Anti-D is not required for medical abortions where women are under 10 weeks gestation. SACP guidelines also recommended that once Covid-19 is no longer considered a significant risk, women between 10 and 11+6 weeks should again be given Anti-D where appropriate.

18. It should be noted, however, that the guidelines have since been updated and now state that it is optional for women to have someone with them.