Women in England to be allowed to take second abortion pill at home
2 min read
Women in England will be allowed to take an early abortion pill at home under government plans due to take effect by the end of the year.
Currently, women ending a pregnancy in its first ten weeks have to take two pills at a clinic 24 to 48 hours apart.
Under the new plans, which will bring England into line with Scotland and Wales, the second pill can be taken at home.
Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies said: "Abortion can be a difficult experience so it is important that women feel safe and as comfortable as possible.
"This decision will increase choice for women and help ensure they receive safe and dignified care."
Labour’s shadow minister for public health welcomed the move to let pregnant women in England take the early abortion pills at home.
Sharon Hodgson said many women had “been left in agony” because they had been forced to take the pill elsewhere.
She said: “Making this change to the regulations governing abortion in England is the right thing to do.
“The World Health Organisation says the home use of misoprostol is safe and, given a choice, many women who have opted for early medical abortion would prefer to complete this process at home rather than remain in a clinical setting.
“It is unacceptable that women have been left in agony in public because they have to take the pills outside of their home.
“This change will remove a considerable amount of stress and upset every year for thousands of women who have made the often difficult decision to have an abortion.
“If women in Norway, France and now Scotland can take this drug at home, not in a clinical setting, with careful safeguards and support in place it is important and right that the Government should afford the same facility to women in England.”
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