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23/03/2012
Spot Checks Find Abortion Consent Forms Being 'Pre-Signed'
Spot checks at more than 250 abortion clinics has found that some doctors are breaking the law by "pre-signing" abortion consent forms.
The law currently states that, except in emergencies, two doctors must agree for a woman to have a termination, however the government has said the checks found evidence of blank forms being signed in anticipation of patients seeking a termination.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) carried out the inspections in England after being ordered by health secretary Andrew Lansley.
Lansley said: "I am shocked and appalled to learn that some clinics - which look after women in what are often difficult circumstances - may be allowing doctors to pre-sign abortion certificates. This is contrary to the spirit and the letter of the Abortion Act.
"The rules in the Abortion Act are there for a reason - to ensure there are safeguards for women before an abortion can be carried out. To protect women the right checks and balances must be in place.
"The CQC has agreed to undertake unannounced inspections to identify the scale of this problem. And we will set up a special team comprising of all the necessary regulators and the department to look at how we stamp out bad practice in abortion clinics."
(H)
The law currently states that, except in emergencies, two doctors must agree for a woman to have a termination, however the government has said the checks found evidence of blank forms being signed in anticipation of patients seeking a termination.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) carried out the inspections in England after being ordered by health secretary Andrew Lansley.
Lansley said: "I am shocked and appalled to learn that some clinics - which look after women in what are often difficult circumstances - may be allowing doctors to pre-sign abortion certificates. This is contrary to the spirit and the letter of the Abortion Act.
"The rules in the Abortion Act are there for a reason - to ensure there are safeguards for women before an abortion can be carried out. To protect women the right checks and balances must be in place.
"The CQC has agreed to undertake unannounced inspections to identify the scale of this problem. And we will set up a special team comprising of all the necessary regulators and the department to look at how we stamp out bad practice in abortion clinics."
(H)
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15 September 2006
Emergency pill fails to lower abortion rate
A family planning expert says that the availability of the emergency "morning after" pill has failed to significantly reduce the abortion rate. Easy over the counter availability of emergency contraception has not had a notable effect on rates of pregnancy and abortion, according to an editorial in this week’s British Medical Journal.
Emergency pill fails to lower abortion rate
A family planning expert says that the availability of the emergency "morning after" pill has failed to significantly reduce the abortion rate. Easy over the counter availability of emergency contraception has not had a notable effect on rates of pregnancy and abortion, according to an editorial in this week’s British Medical Journal.
19 June 2008
Figures Show Abortion Increase In Teenage Girls
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Figures Show Abortion Increase In Teenage Girls
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30 June 2004
Study uncovers social variations in UK abortion rates
Abortions among young women tend to be lower in socially disadvantaged areas – even though these areas also have the highest rates of conception among the under 18s, according to a new report out today.
Study uncovers social variations in UK abortion rates
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21 May 2008
MPs Dismiss Abortion Time Limit Changes
Proposed changes to abortion law have been dismissed by MP's last night. The time limit for abortions will remain at 24 weeks despite arguments for it to be cut to 22, 20, 16 or 12 weeks. The 304 to 233 free vote was the culmination of two days of emotive and heated exchanges on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.
MPs Dismiss Abortion Time Limit Changes
Proposed changes to abortion law have been dismissed by MP's last night. The time limit for abortions will remain at 24 weeks despite arguments for it to be cut to 22, 20, 16 or 12 weeks. The 304 to 233 free vote was the culmination of two days of emotive and heated exchanges on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.
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