14.02.11
Abortion ruling disappoints campaigners
The law preventing women from choosing where to complete a medical abortion will stay as it is after a High Court ruling today – although the Health Secretary should be able to react to scientific advances to change the policy.
The Hon Mr Justice Supperstone ruled that Section 1(3A) of the Abortion Act as amended in 1990 enables the Secretary of State to react to “changes in medical science” meaning that he can choose to change the current policy on where early medical abortions take place.
Tracey McNeill, vice president and director of UK and West Europe for sexual health provider Marie Stopes International said: “This ruling is very disappointing as it limits choice for women who want to be able to take control of the timing and environment in which they complete a termination.
“It actually puts the UK behind other developed nations including the USA, Australia and France who routinely offer women the choice of where to complete a medical termination.
“However, this judgement does provide an option for the Secretary of State to change the Department of Health’s policy and allow women to make the choice of where to complete a medical termination and we will work with the Department of Health to make this happen.”
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