Reacting to the publication of the HSEs Unplanned Pregnancy and Abortion Care (UnPAC) study, People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith said that the report was welcome and that it confirmed that there were many issues in the operation of the Termination of Pregnancy Act and issues for women in accessing abortion care.
Deputy Smith said: “The study confirms firstly what an important moment repeal was for reproductive health care for women, the fact that women can now access abortion care in their country is truly historic and a testimony to the amazing repeal campaign.
“However, this report confirms concerns in relation to access and especially the uneven access to care in rural areas for many women. This is particularly concerning when we see the large numbers of women who continue to have to travel for abortion care post 12 weeks and in cases of fatal foetal anomaly. The criminalisation of abortion can act as a “chill factor” for healthcare professionals and abortion should be treated as a healthcare issue not a criminal issue.”
The TD said the report was particularly welcome for highlighting other outstanding issues.
“It is clear that women in this report are seeking counselling not because of the decision to have an abortion, but because of the difficulties caused in getting access to the care they need.
“The fact that half of our maternity hospitals do not provide access to abortion care is one issue, but we need to ask why abortion care is not available in other hospitals while in certain circumstances specialist care may need to be provided in maternity settings there is a need to ensure wider access and care in other setting, all of our hospitals should be providing this care.”
Deputy Smith said the study would strengthen the determination of campaigners to improve access to abortion care for women across the state. Legislation for Safe Access Zones is urgently required.
“We need to ensure even and universal access. We need to remove the three-day waiting period and we need to see better provision for post 12 weeks cases and stop the continued trauma inflicted on women who continue to be forced to travel to receive the care they need here.
“Women will not be deterred by attempts to roll back the tide on abortion rights here; this is not the US or Poland and we will make clear to those who try to drag us back to the past that this will not happen.”