Women made to wait too long for abortions

Published on Sunday 21 October 2007 01:03

WOMEN seeking abortions are facing harrowing waits depending on where they live, Scotland on Sunday can reveal.

Patients in Highland, Lothian, Grampian, Lanarkshire and the Islands face the worst inequalities with hundreds of women not treated within the recommended time limits.

Draft guidance issued this year by the NHS standards watchdog Quality Improvement Scotland states that 70% of women who want an abortion should undergo the procedure before they reach the 10th week of pregnancy.

The watchdog describes this as "essential" for health boards in providing adequate care with minimal delay.

But the latest figures for 2006 show just four out of Scotland's 12 health boards are on target.

In the worst performing area, NHS Lanarkshire, just 51% of women were treated within 10 weeks. Experts agree that fast access to abortion is essential once a woman has made up her mind.

The revelations come as Westminster's Science and Technology Committee investigates abortion legislation, including late terminations, amid growing calls for the time limit to be reduced from 24 weeks given that some babies born at that time can survive.

MPs are also considering relaxing the law requiring women to have the permission of two doctors before they undergo the procedure.