Increase in Women Traveling for Abortions Post-Pandemic
Since the pandemic, there has been a notable rise in the number of women traveling south for abortions, with 68 women undertaking this journey in 2023 alone. According to the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), obtaining a surgical abortion after 13 weeks in Scotland has become nearly impossible. With only a single doctor across the entire nation qualified to perform surgical abortions up to the legal limit, women are left with two options: a medical abortion, which involves birthing the fetus, or traveling to England for a surgical termination.
Campaigning for Change in Abortion Services
BPAS is actively campaigning for improvements in abortion access. Rachael Clarke from BPAS stated, “Abortion has been legally available in Scotland for over 50 years, yet there has never been a 24-week service established throughout the country. It remains a long-standing arrangement that women must travel for procedures at this gestation,” she explained in a conversation with Big Issue. “They believe that sending women to England is entirely reasonable.”
“For a considerable time, we have focused on establishing proper care within Scotland. We have repeatedly offered to the government and NHS providers to establish a BPAS clinic in Scotland or to identify a location and train healthcare professionals there. Unfortunately, these proposals have consistently been ignored,” Clarke added.
The Outsourcing of Abortion Care
The National Health Service (NHS) largely outsources abortion care, with BPAS providing private services at clinics like Richmond, where Dorman works. This arrangement can create safer environments for women but also distances critical issues like travel and financial considerations from the NHS.
Addressing Financial Barriers for Women
To alleviate the financial burden associated with traveling for abortions, health boards in Scotland are now providing upfront travel costs through BPAS. However, Clarke noted, “Some women are not made aware beforehand that their travel and accommodation expenses will be covered.”
Concerns Over Abortions in Scotland
Lucy Ward, a campaigner with Back off Scotland and policy manager for BPAS, expressed her concern to Big Issue, stating, “It’s quite alarming that there is no availability for surgical abortions in Scotland, particularly for women diagnosed with anomalies. The lack of choice forces women to undergo labor instead.” Ward hopes the Scottish government will deliver a report on reforming abortion laws by the end of 2025.
The Broader Implications of Surgical Abortion Availability
Dorman highlighted that this issue extends beyond Scotland, as the number of surgeons performing surgical abortions in England is dwindling. “We risk worsening the situation due to a shortage of qualified surgeons,” Dorman explained, attributing this partly to the stigma surrounding abortion and the fact that care is often delivered outside of hospital settings.
“Surgical skills needed for abortion care are the same as those required in other hospital procedures; it should be a fundamental part of the training for anyone in obstetrics and gynecology,” she added. “This shortage poses health risks for women, resulting in severe complications and even fatalities due to delays in treatment.”
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