London, Monday 30th March 2020
The UK Government has approved this morning the use of telemedicine for abortion care, meaning that:
- Women and girls will be able to take both pills for early medical abortion up to 10 weeks in their own homes, without the need to first attend a hospital or clinic;
- Registered Medical practitioners (doctors) will be able to prescribe both pills for the treatment of early medical abortion up to 10 weeks from their own homes.
We are open as usual and here if you need us
Marie Stopes UK is doing everything we can to be able to offer this service as soon as possible and meanwhile our clinics are open as usual and here for anyone who needs us.
Commenting the news, Jonathan Lord, Medical Director for Marie Stopes UK said:
“The government’s decision to allow women in England to take both sets of early medical abortion pills at home during the COVID-19 crisis, shows that they value both women’s health and that of hardworking abortion care staff, who have continued to deliver essential healthcare, despite a global health pandemic. We now stand in full solidarity with women and girls in Northern Ireland seeking the same protection.
“This would not have happened without such a mobilised and quick campaign from health experts, campaigners and journalists alike, that made it impossible for the government to deny the medical and moral force of the case for early abortion care at home.
“By listening to expert clinical advice, the government has ensured that the next round of #ClapforCarers will be from the 200,000 UK women who need to access safe abortion services each year.”