An abortion is a medical procedure that is carried out to end a pregnancy. Every year, just under 200,000 women in England and Wales have an abortion. At least one third of British women will have had an abortion by the time they are 45.
There are several types of abortion. The treatment used depends upon the length of the pregnancy and the client’s medical history. These methods include:
- Early medical (abortion pill) – available up to 9 weeks
- Surgical (with local anaesthetic) – available up to 10 weeks
- Surgical (by general anaesthetic) – available up to 18 weeks
- Abortion with sterilisation – available up to 14 weeks
Abortion and the law
Abortion is legal in England, Scotland and Wales (but not Northern Ireland) under the Abortion Act 1967 and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The law says you can have an abortion if:
- You are less than 24 weeks pregnant
- Two doctors agree that it would cause less damage to your physical or mental health (or that of existing children) than continuing with the pregnancy
Our clinicians are bound by the regulations and legislation of the Abortion Act 1967. Our doctors will only agree to perform abortions for reasons that are within the law. We do not sanction abortion based on the gender of a foetus.
Abortions after 24 weeks are only available in exceptional circumstances.
SMPC operates up to 17 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy.
Guidelines for doctors state that women should not have to wait more than 3 weeks between asking for an abortion and their first appointment.
If the doctor you see does not refer women for abortion because of moral objections, the British Medical Association and the Department of Health have ruled that they must refer you to another doctor.
Where to go for an abortion
In the UK, abortions can only be carried out in a hospital or licensed clinic. Most abortions at SMPC are NHS-funded but availability for funding varies from region to region. You can contact our clinic direct to find out whether your treatment can be NHS funded or you can ask your GP or local Family Planning clinic who will be able to advise you on the policy in your region.
You can access our services direct, via Family Planning clinic, your local Brook centre, your own GP or one of our own Pregnancy Advisory Services.
