Rise in 999 calls relating to DIY abortions

Ambulance crews have been fielding far more calls relating to abortion complications since the introduction of controversial home abortion rules, an investigation shows.

An analysis of freedom of information requests sent to six ambulance trusts in England show a significant spike in such calls between 2019 and 2020, when the new rules took effect.

Home abortion rules were ushered in at the start of the pandemic to allow women to access abortion pills without the usual in-person consultation with a medic.

The home abortion framework, which has now been made permanent, allows a woman to seek pills via a telephone or video call and receive two abortion pills in the post.

Critics have warned that removing medical oversight increases the risk of serious harm to women through complications, or coercion into having an abortion by an abusive third party.

Significant rise in calls

The research on ambulance callouts, by GB News, shows there were a total of 624 calls to English services about abortion pills in 2020, compared to 380 in 2019 – a 64 per cent rise.

Individual services noted an even more significant rise. South Western Ambulance Service saw the number of call outs increase from 33 in 2019 to 74 in 2020 – a 124 percent increase.

Last week, the UK Government announced that it is making the home abortion scheme permanent despite alarming reports of increased harm to women. A spokeswoman for CARE said:

“The decision is highly irresponsible and removes vital safeguards. There is clear evidence of increased harm to women and babies under the new approach. It is hard to establish meaningful and informed consent given the lack of in-person consultation. There is also a heightened risk of dangerous medical complications occurring.

“Safeguards in place before the pandemic were there for a reason. The new framework is simply incompatible with the level of care that should be expected under normal circumstances. Ministers should reverse this dangerous decision before further evidence of harm against pregnant women emerges.”