Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) release new data on early abortion service.
As government abortion review nears completion, new IFPA data show early abortion service working well, but legal barriers continue to cause harms.
New data published in the IFPA’s Activity Report for 2020 and 2021 shows that its early abortion service is working well. But, as the Department of Health abortion review nears completion, the IFPA warns that the rigid 12-week limit and mandatory three-day waiting period are harming women and the law must be reformed.
Speaking on the launch of the report, IFPA CEO, Niall Behan, said: “We see the positive impact of the legalisation of abortion every day in our clinics. Most women in Ireland now have timely access to local abortion care, without having to explain or justify their decision to anyone. This has been transformative for reproductive health.
“758 clients accessed abortion care through the IFPA in 2020 and 2021. 89% of women who attended our service were less than nine weeks pregnant at the time of their abortion. This suggests that women know where and how to access care, which is very positive news.”
The vast majority of IFPA clients – 92% – self-managed their early medical abortion at home. In line with HSE guidance, 8% of IFPA clients, whose pregnancies were between 10 and 12 weeks or who had other additional medical needs, were referred to hospitals for their abortion care.
He continued: “Due to the rigid 12-week limit for abortion care, hospital referrals for pregnancies over 10 weeks can be intensely pressurised and very stressful for women, IFPA doctors and hospital staff. Our experience reflects World Health Organisation (WHO) guidance which is clear that gestational limits cause harm and should be removed.”
“We also know from our specialist pregnancy counselling service that women are excluded from abortion care because of the 12-week limit. Our counsellors support women who are denied care in Ireland and forced to travel abroad for abortion services. These women experience significant stress, distress and stigma, as well as enduring the financial and logistical burdens of accessing healthcare in a different country. Forcing people to travel for abortion care is cruel and inhumane. It must stop.”
“We also know from our services that the mandatory three-day waiting period causes distress and delay to our clients. It has no health rationale and interferes with women’s ability to make autonomous decisions about their healthcare. It is paternalistic and demeaning for women seeking care and it must be removed.”
Mr Behan concluded: “There is unfinished business for members of the Oireachtas with respect to abortion law. We know as a healthcare provider that legal restrictions – such as the 12-week limit and three-day wait – exclude, delay and cause harm to those seeking care. These barriers must be removed. Robust recommendations from the imminent abortion review will provide politicians with a critical opportunity to address legislative failings, reform the 2018 Act, and ensure access to abortion care for all who need it.”
Ends
For press and media queries please contact Sophie Mac Neice, Communications Officer at press@ifpa.ie or on 086 7952167
Notes
- The IFPA is a leading provider of sexual and reproductive healthcare in Ireland. The organisation offers a comprehensive range of services including contraception, abortion care and specialist pregnancy counselling, which support reproductive choice on a not-for-profit basis. The organisation promotes the right of all people to comprehensive, specialist and affordable sexual and reproductive health information and services.
- The IFPA provided 21,806 sexual and reproductive health appointments at its two Dublin clinics across 2020 and 2021.
- 758 people accessed abortion care through the IFPA in 2020 and 2021 combined.
- The IFPA’s Activity Report for 2020 and 2021 can be read online here.
- The review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 is an independent review commissioned by the Department of Health and chaired by Ms Marie O’Shea BL. Ms O’Shea is due to submit her report to the Minister for Health by the end of the year.
- As an abortion care provider and informed by international human rights standards with respect to abortion, the IFPA is of the view that the review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 should lead to removal of the 12-week limit and 3-day-waiting period for early abortion care and the full decriminalisation of abortion. You can read IFPA’s full submission to the abortion review here.