Abortion care a ‘postcode lottery’
THE founder of a new clinic offering medical abortions – in place of the only surgical practice that closed this year – laments such care is a “postcode lottery”.
Leading reproductive private healthcare provider Marie Stopes Australia closed its Southport clinic in June, citing rising costs and a decline in patients seeking out surgical terminations, a likely ripple effect from the pandemic.
Its new location at Varsity Lakes will offer virtual telehealth and in-person appointments for non-surgical termination, as well as contraception, vasectomy and STI screening services.
Marie Stopes says there has been a 167 per cent spike in telehealth appointments on the Gold Coast since March 2020.
Telehealth appointments, known as a medical abortion by phone, allow women to safely access the abortion pill and terminate a pregnancy without visiting a clinic.
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Two pills – Mifepristone (RU486) and Misoprostol – are taken under the advice of a healthcare professional at home and available only up until nine weeks gestation.
The Misoprostol tablet is taken 36-48 hours after RU486 to soften and open the cervix, causing the uterus to contract and pass out the remaining pregnancy tissue.
A cheaper price of $250-400 once blood tests, ultrasounds and consultations are considered – and convenience of avoiding clinics during the height of Covid – proved popular reasons for the sharp rise in medical terminations.
Marie Stopes Australia managing director Jamal Hakim said the organisation was still looking to increase services and access for all people, regardless of location.
“We have been very clear abortion care in Australia is currently a postcode lottery,” he said, noting the closure of three clinics in Rockhampton, Townsville and Southport in June. At the time, Marie Stopes estimated the closures would mean access to safe abortion care would be compromised for about 500 regionally based people.
“Services for women and pregnant people are disparate across states and territories, with care often falling to not-forprofit healthcare providers with little-to-no funding for service provision. For years, we have been subsidising the chronic underinvestment in abortion and contraception access.”
Underfunding of sexual and reproductive health by state and federal bodies meant a telehealth and non-surgical termination clinic presents fewer increasing costs, he said.
“We have been in positive funding discussions with the Queensland government about this new hub so we can enable easier and more timely access to abortion care services for Queenslanders, but are still waiting on a decision.”
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the state was committed to ensuring women could access “safe and highquality” termination services wherever they lived.
She said many of Queensland’s 16 hospital and health services had referral pathways, including the Gold Coast which contracts with a private provider to perform medical terminations. Surgical terminations are available in Brisbane.
“The cost of termination services and associated expenses, such as transport, are covered by hospital and health services,” Ms D’Ath said.
“Whatever the circumstances, a healthcare provider or counselling service, and sometimes a GP, can provide women with information and advice to help them understand their rights and the options available to them, including the types of procedure, cost, and nearest services.”