Abortion service return
LOW-COST surgical abortions may soon be available again in Tasmania — almost a year after the last provider pulled out of Hobart leaving women with little option but to travel interstate.
In State Parliament yesterday, Premier Will Hodgman said talks had been held with a private provider.
“The Department of Health has now reached an in-principle five-year agreement for a new private provider to deliver services in Tasmania,” Mr Hodgman said.
Health Minister Michael Ferguson yesterday tabled a report on the issue, as demanded by Parliament last month.
It included a recommendation for a “significant notice period as a condition of licence” to ensure continuity of service.
Health Department secretary Michael Pervan said agreement had been reached for the Hobart service.
“This service will commence by October this year, contingent on finalisation of the terms of the agreement, and licensing and accreditation requirements,” he said.
“The Patient Transport and Travel Assistance Scheme will be available for intrastate travel.”
“The Department will also provide increased funding to Prescribed Health Services, and Pregnancy Counselling and Support Tasmania, to ensure longstanding arrangements to support women continues.”
Labor’s Michelle O’Byrne said despite the agreement, women still faced a lengthy wait and the details of the service was uncertain.
“What we do know is that women still today do not have access to termination. We have a public hospital system that could provide them,” she said.
“What we do know is that government has no commitment to have that safety net at the public system to catch those women for whom travel to Hobart is unmanageable.
“What we do know is that women are going to have to continue to beg to get travel assistance, which is a process that at a difficult time in your life you might not want to go through.
“What we do know is that Mr Ferguson has ensured that women still have issues accessing termination services and we assume that it is because of his personal views on abortion.”