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Tory Senedd Member ‘bitterly disappointed’ after early at-home abortions in Wales made permanent

01 Mar 2022 3 minute read
Darren Millar MS speaking in the Senedd

A Conservative Senedd Member has said that he is “bitterly disappointed” after temporary arrangements allowing early abortions to be carried out at home in Wales were made permanent.

The Health Minister Eluned Morgan announced on Friday that the measures put in place during the Covid pandemic would not be coming to an end.

Earlier this month the UK Government confirmed that similar measures in England would be extended for a further six months.

But Clwyd West Senedd Member Darren Millar, who is a member of the Evangelical Alliance, called for the Health Minister to answer questions in the Senedd on the matter.

“I’m bitterly disappointed that the Minister made an announcement to extend what we all hoped would be only temporary arrangements for abortions without the need to see a medical professional in person,” he said.

“Obviously, they are significant changes to the permanent abortion regime, and there are many people who have contacted me to say that they are very concerned about risks to women’s health as a result of these changes, and indeed the prospect that people can be coerced into taking abortion medication.

“And not only that, but that the system could also potentially be abused and people could obtain abortion medication and then pass them on to others.

“We need the opportunity to scrutinise this decision, and I think that there should be the opportunity for a debate or a statement in this Chamber prior to any changes being introduced.”

The Senedd Trefnydd Lesley Griffiths responded that the Welsh Government had already published a written statement.

She added that “the new guidance in relation to making this a permanent position—as you said, it was a temporary position—has been developed by clinicians, working alongside the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and other partners”.

“So, I don’t think there’s a need for a further statement. If you do have any specific concerns, I would suggest you write to the Minister for Health and Social Services direct.”

‘Advice’

Introduced in 2020, the change to existing guidelines allowed women and girls to take pills for early medical abortion up to nine weeks and six days gestation in their own homes, following a telephone or e-consultation with a clinician, without the need to first attend a hospital or clinic.

Describing the decision as “a progressive step which demonstrates Welsh Government’s commitment to supporting women” the Health Minister said that following a consultation she was satisfied “the arrangements are safe and bring significant benefits to women and girls who wish to access abortion services, with reduced waiting times”.

“Welsh Government consulted on the temporary arrangements between December 2020 and February 2021 and I have carefully considered the responses along with subsequent information on the safety of abortion services under these arrangements in making this decision,” she added in a written statement.

“New guidance has been developed by clinicians working along with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare and British Society of Abortion Care Providers to enable the NHS in Wales to implement the change as effectively as possible.

“The guidance includes steps to ensure women accessing the service are not subject to coercion or exploitation in line with Welsh safeguarding protocols. The guidance also emphasises the need to provide advice and support to women on contraception and reproductive health.”

Earlier this month the UK Government confirmed that similar measures in England would be extended for a further six months.


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Cynan
Cynan
2 years ago

Awwww Tory member is bitterly disappointed. I think we can get over that.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a serious topic. But this Ms’s religious beliefs should not have any impact on a woman’s right to ownership of her own body and choices.

tired of this
tired of this
2 years ago
Reply to  Cynan

I’ll happily go further than that; none of these ‘religious beliefs’ should have any impact whatsoever on anyone other than those who hold them. It is appalling that some of these people still believe that they can use legislation to impose their wild imaginings.

Cofid
Cofid
2 years ago
Reply to  tired of this

Typical of the toxic masculinity that pervades the Tories

Eira
Eira
2 years ago

lolol cry about it uggo

Kerry Davies
Kerry Davies
2 years ago

The 2019 Conservative manifesto does not mention abortion but this measure is UK Conservative government policy. I look forward to reading Mr Millar’s resignation letter.

Cat
Cat
2 years ago

I am so tired of men tying to exercise control over women’s bodies. He claims to be worried about women being coerced into abortion but is happy to try and impose his views on women to restrict their rights. So tired ……

Llefain
Llefain
2 years ago

Hmmm “the system could also potentially be abused and people could obtain abortion medication and then pass them on to others.” Weird concern. Passing it in to other people who need an abortion? Who could that be? I can only think of one legit scenario. Controlled and/or abused people who fear a partner who would stop them. Well… So if that is only pseudo-legit sounding concern this cretin can muster beyond his own wish to control other people’s bodies when it is none of his business then… Sorry I already got bored of giving his opinion any credence or legitimacy.… Read more »

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