RCN submits evidence to the inquiry into scientific developments relating to the Abortion Act 1967

Published: 11 October 2007

The Science and Technology Select  Committee have published the evidence submitted by the Royal College of Nursing  to the Inquiry into Scientific Developments relating to the Abortion Act 1967.

Dr. Peter Carter, General Secretary  of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said:

“The RCN  continues to support the current law that enables abortion up to 24 weeks  gestation and provides support to those nurses who work in abortion care to  provide safe, effective and quality care. However, we have always acknowledged  and respected those nurses who have a conscientious objection to providing  abortion care.

“We believe that the current  requirement of two doctors’ signatures before a woman can have an abortion is  not only out-dated, but can lead to delays in the referral process for women,  and therefore increases the risk as gestation progresses.

“We have also recommended that  nurses and midwives who wish to work in providing early abortion services  receive accredited appropriate training to carry out surgical abortions. In  addition, the RCN believes that it is time  for nurses to be allowed to prescribe the medication needed to carry out early  medical abortions. Extending the role of nurses and midwives in this area would  prevent women in some parts of the UK  being delayed in seeking an early abortion, making the procedure much safer  with one small reform.”

“We look forward to working closely  with the Science & Technology Select Committee to ensure that abortions are  carried out in the safest possible way.”

-ends-

Notes to editor

  • Please note that the  Abortion Act 1967, the remit of this committee inquiry and this actual response  does not cover Northern Ireland.

Other recommendations submitted to the Science & Technology  Committee, include: 

  • The RCN recommends a change or clarification in legislation to allow nurses and midwives to be allowed to perform early surgical abortions and to be able to prescribe Mifespristone for early medical abortions as part of a clinical team 
  • The RCN recommends a change in the British National Formulary (BNF) to allow independent nurse prescribers to prescribe the abortion pill (Mifepristone)
  • The RCN would like to see clear standards of care for all women seeking abortions to minimise the differences in care in different locations
  • The RCN believes that women should have access to long acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods as per the NICE guideline 2005
  • The RCN would like to see that in every provider unit, all women seeking abortion have access to screening for STIs and treatment, if indicated, before their procedure in order to reduce the incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) post procedure
  • Reducing the stigma around abortion is vitally important. The RCN believes that the above recommendations will contribute towards achieving this aim.
  • The RCN’s response to this inquiry is about abortion services from a clinical perspective and does not concern the ethical issues surrounding abortion.

For further information,  interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit RCN media centre

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing  staff in the world.  The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues  and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and  other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional  bodies and voluntary organisations.