Number of GPs offering abortion drugs remains low

Just one in every 10 GPs in Ireland are offering abortion drugs, a research paper authored by a doctor and commissioned by the National Women’s Council has found.

There is no GP provision of abortion in Sligo.

The research was published on the third anniversary of the vote to repeal the Eighth Amendment, and ahead of a Government review of Ireland’s abortion provisions.

The NWCI report states that as of April last year, 373 GPs had signed contracts with the HSE to provide early medical abortions (EMA), and medical professionals who took part in this research suggest this has increased slightly to around 385 providers.

The Irish College of General Practitioners, estimates that 3,496 GPs are actively practising in Ireland, leading the report to conclude that just one in every ten GPs is an abortion provider.