UK Government confirms return of in-person abortion appointments

26th February 2022

‘DIY’ at-home abortions, allowed temporarily during the COVID-19 pandemic, will be stopped in Britain by the end of August, with a return to in-person appointments as part of the abortion process. Complications for the woman can arise from the abortion pill and this is more dangerous if she is unmonitored. The Irish Government has also been allowing ‘DIY’ abortions since the start of the pandemic.

The British Government also announced the results of a consultation which showed that 70% of submissions supported ending the temporary policy immediately.

This decision comes after multiple calls were made by MPs and medical professionals, for the Government to end, what has been proven to be a dangerous provision.

In England, emergency ambulance responses to complications arising from abortion related complications was shown to be three times higher since telemedicine was introduced. And research released in November 2021 revealed that more than 10,000 women had to receive hospital treatment following the use of medical abortion pills in England between April 2020 and September 2021.

Meanwhile, in Ireland, the Pro-Life Campaign have said the move was “very welcome news”.

They called on the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to “immediately announce a similar cessation of the practice here, on health and safety grounds and, in keeping with the promise of his predecessor that telemedicine ‘home abortions’ would come to an end at the same time that other Covid restrictions were lifted”.