Abortion cost divide
WOMEN in Townsville seeking an abortion spend up to $ 300 more than their Brisbane counterparts.
Marie Stopes CEO Michelle Thompson said the cost of a medical and surgical termination in Townsville was $ 800, which includes services such as pre- and post- counselling, medication, STI screening and treatment, 24- hour after care and follow- up consultation with a doctor.
The cost of an abortion by the provider in Brisbane was $ 500 to $ 600.
Abortion is more expensive in regional and remote locations because of the same infrastructure to maintain by a smaller volume of patients, and the additional transportation costs.
Ms Thompson said one of the biggest issues women encountered when wanting to terminate was being turned away from public hospitals that did not offer the service, or conscientious objection by doctors.
“With the changes announced by the Government yesterday, we hope to further conversations with Queensland Health regarding funding of public patients through our clinics,” she said.
“This will go a long way to increasing access in the region.”
Laws to decriminalise abortion in Queensland will be debated in October, with the Palaszczuk Government giving its MPs a conscience vote.
The Queensland Criminal Code currently makes it illegal to unlawfully terminate a woman’s pregnancy except in limited circumstances.
In June the Queensland Law Reform Commission made 28 recommendations for reforming abortion laws.
Health Minister Steven Miles said access to safe and high- quality abortion services was a significant women’s health issue.
“Under the proposed legislation all medical practitioners retain the right to conscientious objection,” he said.
“However, those with a conscientious objection will be legally required to refer the women to another health practitioner or provider that does offer termination of pregnancy services.
“In developing plementation plan, an imQueens- land Health will explore how Hospital and Health Services can work with local providers and partner organisations to address this issue where services are limited,” he said.
Townsville Hospital and Health Service chief executive Kieran Keyes said the hospital provided both types of abortion if doctors believed there was a significant risk to the physical or mental health of the mother.
“To allow all women the same access to appropriate services, practitioners who conscientiously object are required to refer the patient to another practitioner,” he said.