Public pays for travel to abort
TAXPAYERS are forking out thousands of dollars to send female patients from Cairns to Sydney for surgical abortions.
Nineteen clinicians from across Queensland have sent the Palaszczuk government a signed letter pleading for politicians to fast-track reforms to legalise the medical procedure.
It comes as NT’s Parliament passed legislation on Tuesday night legalising the medical termination of pregnancy.
Three Cairns-based doctors, Caroline De Costa, Michael Carrette and Heather McNamee, said they were dismayed to learn that women were being transferred from Cairns to as far south as Sydney for surgical abortions in the first three months of pregnancy, since Dr Carrette retired late last year.
Dr Carrette performed nearly 9000 abortions across the Far North in 18 years.
The doctors said the number of patients Dr Carrette had assisted showed the clear need for access to safe services.
They have estimated it is costing taxpayers about $2000 per patient to send women south for surgical abortions.
“This is a procedure that should be available safely, effectively and sympathetically, to these women in their home town,” the doctors wrote.
“Undergoing an abortion is a stressful experience,” they said. “This stress should not be exacerbated by the anxiety and worry caused by travelling to what, for many women, will be a completely unknown environment, accompanied by the insinuations of shame and secrecy surrounding such travel.
“This is also a major cost to Queensland Health, for the woman and her accompanying person, both in fees to a private NSW clinic and the cost of travel.”
Cairns Hospital’s chief executive Clare Douglas said the health service was investigating solutions to provide local women with suitable options for surgical terminations.
“Currently, patients who require a surgical termination are referred to providers in Townsville, Southport or Sydney,” she said.
“Doctors refer these women to the most appropriate centre based on clinical issues and personal issues.”