The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill 2007-8
Briefings from the Christian Medical Fellowship
Background
Because of the high abortion rate, and because of increasing reluctance of doctors to be involved, the pro-choice lobby is pressing for health professionals other than doctors to be allowed to perform abortions and for them to be carried out on premises which are not currently licensed.
Abortions by health professionals other than doctors
While some nurses and midwives (and other health professionals) currently assist abortions, liberalisers propose that they should take over the entire responsibility, including prescribing for medical abortions and (later) performing surgical ones.
However, medical abortion is not as safe as is commonly assumed and it is not always effective. Failed and incomplete abortions require surgery. In trials, almost all women using mifepristone for medical abortions experienced abdominal pain or uterine cramping; and a significant number experienced nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Vaginal bleeding or spotting lasts on average 9-16 days, while up to 8% of patients bleed for 30 days or more. Pelvic inflammatory disease occurs in about 1%. Complications involving hospitalisation are more than twice as likely after medical abortions than after surgical ones: 1.5% after medical abortion as opposed to 0.6%.
BMA policy
In June 2007 the British Medical Association voted by 41-59% against allowing trained nurses and midwives to perform abortions.
CMF policy
CMF agrees that only qualified medical practitioners should be allowed to perform abortions.
Abortion on premises which are not currently licensed
On the same grounds of patient safety, the BMA in June 2007 voted 46-54% against relaxing rules on currently approved premises. Notwithstanding this, it emerged in December 2007 that the Department of Health was conducting trials of medical abortion outside currently approved hospital and private sector abortion institutions, with a view to them eventually being performed in GP surgeries. A substantial majority of GPs oppose this.
CMF policy
On safety grounds, and to prevent attempts to trivialise abortion and make it seem normal, CMF insists the current licensing arrangements be upheld.
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