Medical Abortion Pills Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateBaroness Sugg
Main Page: Baroness Sugg (Conservative - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Baroness Sugg's debates with the Department of Health and Social Care
(2 years, 6 months ago)
Lords ChamberTo ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to extend the availability of the home use of pills for early medical abortion.
We are carefully considering all evidence submitted to the Government’s public consultation on whether to make permanent the temporary measure allowing for home use of pills for early medical abortion. We will publish our response as soon as possible and before the end of March to give providers sufficient time to plan for whatever the outcome is.
I thank my noble friend the Minister for that Answer. The consultation on this finished 12 months ago and the current regulations expire next month. Abortion providers have made it clear that without telemedicine services, we will face enormous demand pressures resulting in longer waiting times, later abortions and even women having to resort to unsafe abortions. It would be very helpful to understand the delay to a permanent decision and why it cannot be reached when the evidence is so clear.
One of the reasons, as my noble friend would acknowledge, is that we had lockdown and then we were let out, and then we had more restrictions. We did not want to announce something and then have to go back on it. All I would say is that it was always intended to be a temporary measure. We have looked at the responses to the consultation in order to reach a decision, and we will be issuing our considerations later.