Six months after the abortion regulations were laid, and the Health Minister became legally bound to commission services for abortion in Northern Ireland, his prevarication has caused one Health trust to end EMA due to a lack of resources; a direct consequence of no DoH commissioning.

https://mailchi.mp/bf8f2d03266a/press-release-health-minister-robin-swann-failing-to-deliver-legal-duty-on-abortion

PRESS RELEASE: IMMEDIATE RELEASE 02/10/2020

Alliance for Choice welcome the news that almost 700 women and pregnant people have been able to access abortion healthcare in Northern Ireland since March 2020. Too many were forced to travel to the UK for decades, a travesty which forced a UN inquiry and helped bring about the change in legislation that has allowed for this care at home.

We are extremely concerned however that health trusts are being forced to refer some women and pregnant people to England, (especially those over 10 weeks gestation) and some, such as the Northern Trust are already facing the prospect of no longer being able to provide early medical abortions, due to resources being unavailable from a lack of Department of Health Commissioning.

Co-convenor Naomi Connor said,
“Given we are in a global pandemic, we are alarmed that anyone would be forced to travel on a flight to another country, against the medical recommendations from the World Health Organisation for abortion care during Covid-19. With the likelihood of tighter lockdown restrictions once again, forcing air travel in the midst of a highly contagious health crisis, demonstrates the failure of the Department of Health led by Robin Swann, to treat abortion seekers with the same regard as others with urgent healthcare needs.”

Minister Swann said on 30th September that Northern Ireland is at a "crossroads" and that he is now more concerned than at any point in the pandemic, he has even asked the public to; "Please examine your conscience - this isn't a game,"
Despite this he continues to deny people of the ability to take all 5 early abortion medications in their own home, instead of four, which would free up both time and resources of the NHS and reducing the danger of infection for staff and patients.

Abortion telemedicine is required in Northern Ireland as a matter of urgency. The Minister for Health was given direct powers to make this small but significant change and has repeatedly refused.

Co-convenor Emma Campbell added,
“That our Health Minister is asking people to make unnecessary journeys for healthcare instead of legislating for telemedicine like in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, is an indictment of his personal opinions being prioritised over the health and well being of citizens. We are asking that the Health Minister finally commissions the services he is legally obliged to, and furthermore that he uses the powers he was designated to allow for telemedicine abortion care in Northern Ireland.”

Alliance for Choice calls upon the Department of Health to stop pretending there is any other reason for this delay other than personal ideology. This is not a contentious issue, in fact one that the vast majority of the country support. It is vital the Department act in the immediate interest of their citizens before more women and pregnant people are put at risk.