Shock at new illegal abortion guidance

A top gynaecologist and Marie Stopes director has admitted being behind guidance which warns doctors not to report a woman who has undergone an illegal abortion, without her consent. The apparent conflict of interests has prompted calls for an inquiry.

Any doctor reporting a suspected illegal abortion could face a disciplinary, imminent new guidance from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) will say. The RCOG said it is ‘never’ in the public interest to investigate and prosecute in such cases.

The guidance warns that medics reporting a woman for an illegal abortion could face fitness to practice proceedings for breaching patient confidentiality.