Nurses in key vote on abortion law

NURSES could start lobbying the Government to relax abortion laws.

The Royal College of Nursing is asking its 435,000 members whether they think abortions should be decriminalised.

If the majority are in favour, the College will start campaigning for a change in the law.

They would follow a number of powerful medical organisations which have already come out in favour of decriminalising abortions. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the British Medical Association both changed their policy to be supportive last year.

Abortion is currently illegal in England unless a woman obtains consent from two doctors. But a growing number of medical professionals say terminating a pregnancy should be treated no differently to any other surgical procedure.

Nurses will have until March 18 to complete an online survey which asks if they are in favour of decriminalisation. The Royal College of Nursing will then assess the results and decide whether to adopt an official policy to back a relaxation of the law.