Telemedical Abortions

Baroness Barker Excerpts

Wednesday 12th November 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I certainly can confirm that the changes voted into that Bill involve no change to the provision of telemedicine. To the noble Baroness’s other point, we would need to review the data, including the available data in respect of her question about health and well-being, on which I would be pleased to write to her further.

[Baroness Barker (LD)]

We on these Benches would like to note that the dedication of the noble Baroness, Lady Newlove, to sticking up for victims applied no matter who was in government at the time, and that was a very laudable thing to witness in this House.

Does the Minister agree that all the peer-reviewed evidence suggests that women who are in vulnerable situations find it easier and safer to access abortion services on the phone, and that study after study has shown that professionals employed in those services are very well attuned to finding out what, if anything, is happening to the person on the end of the phone, particularly if they are under duress?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I most certainly can agree with the points the noble Baroness has rightly made. There is a very clear pathway to providing safe care. The provision of telemedicine in this regard came in in 2022, and it has given safe abortions further ballast, so it is nothing other than a safe procedure, as I mentioned earlier.