Rise in Tassie abortion trips

More women go to Melbourne clinics

MELBOURNE abortion clinics have reported a dramatic increase in the number of Tasmanian women presenting for surgical abortions since the closure of the state’s last private abortion clinic at the start of the year.

Not-for-profit provider Marie Stopes Australia says the number of Tasmanian women travelling to Melbourne for terminations in their clinics had increased from about 1-2 per month previously to up to 10 women a month since January.

Marie Stopes chief executive Michelle Thompson said forcing women to travel interstate for the procedure made it more difficult for patients and their families.

“Abortion is a common medical procedure. Women should not feel shamed by the community for accessing this service. They should be able to do so discretely,” Ms Thompson said.

In today’s Talking Point Ms Thompson calls on the Government to consider the mental and physical welfare of Tasmanian women seeking abortions and to consider supporting the local provision of surgical abortion services.

Women’s Health Tasmania executive officer Glynis Flower said making the trip to Melbourne for any health procedure would be stressful and that could be exacerbated for women who may not want family or friends to know they were seeking a termination.

“Travelling interstate for the procedure is very likely to affect their physical and mental health when they are at their most vulnerable.”

Ms Flower said medical and surgical terminations should be available in Tasmania in the public and private system and urged women to contact Women’s Health Tasmania, Family Planning Tasmania, the Link Youth Health Centre and Pulse Youth Health South if they needed help.

Federal Labor health spokeswoman Catherine King said it was disgraceful Tasmanian women were being forced to travel to Victoria to access abortions, which could dramatically increase the emotional and financial burden.

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said abortion was a public health issue that should be dealt with in the Tasmanian public health system.

A Government spokesman said women with concerns about accessing surgical terminations should contact their GPs, Women’s Health or Family Planning. He said there were private providers of surgical terminations in Tasmania and the Patient Travel Assistance Scheme was available. A rally will be held on Parliament Lawns tomorrow from 1pm.