On the 18 March 2026, around midnight, the House of Lords voted on several key amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill that directly affect how abortion is legally framed in England and Wales.

This progress strongly aligns with the position of the RCN: that abortion care is healthcare, and women and clinicians must be supported and not criminalised, for making safe, evidence based decisions.

Here is what was decided:

1. Women removed from Criminal Law – Clause 208 retained

Peers voted to retain Clause 208, which removes women from the criminal law in relation to ending their own pregnancies. This decision does not change the 24 week limit or any element of the existing clinical framework governing abortion provision. Instead, it ensures women are no longer exposed to criminal investigation or prosecution for ending their own pregnancies. An amendment seeking to delete this clause was rejected by the Lords. 

Why this matters to nursing - This protects vulnerable women from unnecessary trauma and restores focus on compassionate, clinically appropriate care. It keeps professional safeguards intact while removing outdated criminal sanctions that have no place in modern healthcare.

2. Pardons for past convictions – Amendment passed

Peers also supported an amendment to pardon and remove the criminal records of women previously investigated or convicted under historic abortion laws. This passed with a strong majority. I welcome this important recognition of past injustices. No woman should carry a criminal record for a healthcare decision, particularly one made during a period of vulnerability or crisis. 

3.Telemedicine for early medical abortion protected

An amendment aiming to reinstate compulsory in person appointments before early medical abortion was defeated. This means the current, safe, effective telemedicine (pills by post) model remains fully supported.

Why I support this: Telemedicine has widened access to timely, regulated care, especially for those facing barriers such as travel, childcare, domestic abuse, or socioeconomic constraints. It is a clinically validated model that empowers women while maintaining the highest safety standards.

What this means for nursing practice

• No immediate changes to clinical practice. Existing time limits, consent processes, and professional responsibilities continue unchanged.
• The decision reinforces that abortion is a healthcare matter, not a criminal one, for women.
• The telemedicine model remains secure, ensuring continued access to safe early medical abortion care.

These outcomes support nurses and midwives in delivering evidence based, person centred care without the shadow of the inappropriate criminalisation of women.