The RCN aims to support its members in providing the very highest standards of compassionate care possible for women who choose to have a termination of pregnancy and are committed to providing considerate/empathetic support to those nurses, midwives, nursing associates and healthcare assistants who work to provide safe and quality care. 

Please note both terms Termination of Pregnancy and Abortion Care are used interchangeably.

Whether pregnancy is planned or unplanned, the RCN believes that every woman should have the right to choose how to deal with this life event, within current legislation. The RCN believes that termination of pregnancy and contraception are necessary and integral to the provision of a comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare service and support the current legislation. See: RCN Termination of Pregnancy (Induced Abortion) position statement.

The key points are:

• It is recognised that there are differing points of view on the issues surrounding abortion. 
• In the midst of these debates are women, men, and the nursing and midwifery teams involved in termination of pregnancy. The RCN aims to support its members in providing the very highest standards of compassionate care possible for women who choose to have a termination of pregnancy and are committed to providing considerate/empathetic support to those nurses, midwives, nursing associates and health care assistants who work to provide safe and quality care. 
• Whether pregnancy is planned or unplanned, the RCN believes that every woman should have the right to choose how to deal with this life event, within current legislation. The RCN believes that termination of pregnancy and contraception are necessary and integral to the provision of a comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care service, and support the current legislation. 

We equally acknowledge and respect those nurses, midwives, nursing associates and healthcare assistants who have a conscientious objection within current legislation. See: RCN 2024 Conscientious Objection - Termination of Pregnancy/Abortion Care. 

The original Abortion Act was 50 years old in 2017, this has led to considerable discussion about the legislation, which was updated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 amended 2008, and which excludes Northern Ireland.

It is recognised that there are differing points of view on the issues surrounding Termination of Pregnancy. In the midst of these debates are women, men, nurses, midwives, nursing associates and healthcare assistants who are involved in termination of pregnancy, and /or who have varying views on the subject.

The decriminalisation of abortion is the current debate taking place across the UK, It rests on the ideal that society has moved forward in 50 years, and there is no longer a requirement for this ‘medical condition’ to be enshrined in a legislative framework, that some consider to be outdated and inappropriate.

The RCN published its position on decriminalisation of abortion in England, Wales and Scotland in December 2024, and sets out its key objectives as:

• The RCN believes that all women must be able to continue to access safe and effective abortion care and be able to decide for themselves about their own pregnancy.
• The RCN believes that abortion should be governed by regulatory and professional health care standards rather than criminal law (legislation) and supports calls for the decriminalisation of abortion in England, Wales and Scotland. 
• The RCN also supports the rights of health care workers to conscientiously object to providing direct abortion care, except in an emergency.

Advanced Nursing Skills

There is also a consideration and ongoing discussion about the need to extend nursing skills in care (this is partly driven by the lack of medical staff available to perform Termination of Pregnancy and related to a recognition that this is an area for advanced nursing care to expand). A study in 2017 by Sheldon & Fletcher outlined the advantages of this move, and the RCN would support advanced practice if the individual was adequately skilled, however this needs further work. It would also require a change to current legislation. 

The RCOG has an Abortion Care eResource (2022), with 8 eTutorials available to help health workers, healthcare students and clinical educators gain practical and applicable knowledge about safe abortion care across global contexts.