Bid to make DIY abortions rules permanent

An amendment to make dangerous home abortion rules permanent will be considered in the House of Commons tomorrow.

Earlier this month, members of the House of Lords agreed an amendment to the government's Health and Care Bill by Baroness Sugg to give women a right to medical abortions at home.

MPs will be asked to vote on the Sugg amendment tomorrow, which would overturn a government commitment to phase out home abortion if it is agreed.

Catherine Robinson, of the pro-life group Right to Life UK commented:

“The evidence from the past two years about the threat ‘DIY’ at-home abortion poses to women’s health and safety is clear.

"Not only is there a high rate of complication and need for further medical treatment following a ‘DIY’ abortion, but coercion and abuse is much harder to detect”.

“The Government made the right decision in choosing to wind down this measure; any attempt now to reverse this decision would be a desperate and irresponsible act leading to women being needlessly put in harm’s way”.

Doctors previously issued a strong warning against home abortions in a letter to political leaders.

The letter, posted to the Prime Minister and First Ministers of Scotland and Wales, stresses that the rules have "already placed the health of many women and girls at risk", noting severe medical complications such as ruptured ectopic pregnancies and resuscitation.

CARE has been working behind the scenes to oppose this amendment. Please consider urgently contacting your MP to ask them to vote down the amendment by Baroness Sugg tomorrow.