Doctors’ union votes to axe time limits for abortions
DOCTORS yesterday voted to decriminalise abortions and will now lobby the Government to change the law.
This would potentially enable women to terminate pregnancies far more freely and for any reason, including their own convenience.
It could also lead to the existing 24-week time limit being abolished, prompting fears of an increase in late stage abortions.
The vote by the British Medical Association means the powerful union will adopt a formal policy to decriminalise abortions.
But many doctors and campaigners strongly oppose the proposal – which they said ‘brought the medical profession into disrepute’ – and fear it would pave the way for abortion on demand.
one junior doctor said it would lead to a ‘postal DIY service’, with women purchasing abortion pills online.
Following a highly charged debate at the BMA’s annual conference in Bournemouth, 69 per cent voted in favour of decriminalisation.
Another 29 per cent were against and the remainder abstained. A total of 252 doctors took part in the ballot. However the union represents two-thirds of the 281,000 practising doctors.
Yesterday’s vote follows a campaign to decriminalise abortion launched by the Royal College of Midwives last year.
They claimed it would offer women more choice and control over their bodies. In March, MPs pushed through a bill to decriminalise abortions, but it
‘Will turn abortion into DIY service’
was stalled due to the election. Under the 1967 Abortion Act, women can only terminate pregnancies within 24 weeks of gestation, and two doctors must agree that continuing would harm the physical or mental health of the woman or unborn child.
If abortion was decriminalised, it would be regulated by the General Medical Council as with all other medical procedures. New rules would be drawn up and it is likely doctors would be struck off if they carried out sexselective or very late abortions.
The BMA debated the issue for almost two hours prior to yesterday’s vote. Up to 1,500 doctors and medical students had signed a petition urging the BMA not to change its policy.
Junior doctor Amy Watson warned a law change would ‘trivialise abortion into a postal DIY service’. ‘The rise in online abortion pills is a concerning challenge,’ she said. ‘How is aborting a healthy, viable baby not criminal?’
Medical student Sarah Johnson added: ‘This motion states that it will be regulated like other medical procedures but which ones? Hip replacements or lip fillers?’ Those in favour of decriminalisation included Dr Clare Gerada, former chairman of the Royal College of GPs.
After the vote she said: ‘ For the BMA to be coming out absolutely overwhelmingly for the decriminalisation of abortion I think now politicians will have to stand up and listen and actually take action. It makes no sense to criminalise women.’
But Dr Anthony McCarthy, of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children said: ‘ The BMA has betrayed all who take seriously healthcare for pregnant woman in favour of an extremist agenda in line with the abortion industry’s laissez faire “up to birth” attitude.’
Clara Watson of charity Life said: ‘ They have brought the medical profession into disrepute.’ Dr Peter Saunders, head of the Christian Medical Fellowship, said: ‘[This] will dismay thousands of ordinary doctors and nurses ... The BMA has chosen to ... back abortion on demand, without restriction including on length of gestation and sex.’
But Dr Coral Jones, a GP from Hackney, East London, who proposed the BMA motion, said: ‘There is no evidence from inter- national studies that decriminalisation leads to an increase in third trimester abortions.’
The British Pregnancy Advisory Service, the main abortion provider said: ‘We welcome this important vote by the BMA, which shows doctors believe a woman should be trusted to make her own decision.’