GPs will be paid twice as much to terminate a pregnancy than support it

SIR,

The government plans to introduce a new GP-led abortion service next January. However, there is no provision for the introduction of a free universal contraceptive service in Ireland.

This is a classic case of putting the cart before the horse. Surely, at least as much effort and money should be put into preventing unwanted pregnancies by a free comprehensive family planning education campaign and free contraception to all women, especially the newer safer more effective long acting reversible contraceptives (the IUDs and the implants)

GPs are to be paid €450 for three visits to terminate a pregnancy. However, GPs receive €250 to provide comprehensive antenatal and postnatal care for a pregnant woman and her newborn which can involve approximately eight visits to the GP’s surgery. This highlights the chronic underfunding of antenatal care in Ireland. It can’t be right that a doctor gets paid almost twice as much to terminate a pregnancy than to support it.

Our health minister, Simon Harris, needs to seriously review these issues before rushing through this new legislation. Sincerely,

Dr David Buckley,

Dr Karen Soffe,

Dr Kevin Ryle,

Dr Kate Vernon.

The Ashe Street Clinic, Tralee