Thank you for contacting me about abortions carried out at home during the Coronavirus pandemic.
I understand what an incredibly emotive issue this is, and I appreciate the strength of feelings around this matter.
Guidelines have been issued which enable women to take both Mifepristone and Misoprostol at home for the duration of the outbreak, so that they do not have to visit a medical practice and risk exposure to the virus, and to enable doctors to prescribe medicines from home via telephone or video consultations without consulting a second practitioner, so that abortion care can be provided even in the case of staff shortages.
The medicines must still be instigated prior to nine weeks and six days into the pregnancy. I am aware of data that indicates an increase in the number of abortions carried out in 2020. The pandemic has had an impact on many aspects of daily life, the full picture of which may not be clear for some time to come.
A consultation has recently been held on the home use of both pills for early medical abortion up to 10 weeks gestation. The Government is currently reviewing the evidence received and will publish a response in due course. You can find more information on that here:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/home-use-of-both-pills-for-…;
A decision regarding abortion care can be an extremely difficult time, and I believe that we must do all we can to support women to make an informed decision.
As my colleague Maggie Throup MP (Minister for Public Health) recently said in response to a parliamentary question, "It is important that women receive accurate and evidence-based information on abortion. The Department’s Required Standard Operating Procedures set out that women must be given impartial, accurate and evidence-based information both verbal and written, delivered neutrally by all abortion providers."
I know that making a decision regarding abortion care can be an extremely difficult time. Women need to be supported to make an informed decision, taking into consideration all their options, with medical professionals offering impartial advice.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.