The Department of Health has confirmed the biggest liberalisation of abortion practice since 1967, in guidance published on May 23, the day after the European and local elections.
The document says there is ‘no legal requirement’ for doctors to see women seeking an abortion before approving it. Under current abortion law, two registered medical practitioners must certify that they are of the opinion, formed in good faith, that at least one of the legal grounds for abortion exists. The new guidance suggests doctors can reach an opinion by considering relevant paperwork or speaking to other health professionals. It also says that the doctor could have a ‘discussion by phone or over a webcam’ rather than physically seeing the woman.
Previous guidance from 1999 states that doctors ‘must give their opinions on the reasons under the Act for the termination following consultation with the woman’. But The Christian Institute uncovered secret interim guidelines that were sent to private clinics in 2012, which said that doctors approving abortions do not need to see the women involved.
