Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to data published in November 2021 by the HSE in Ireland that in 2020 1,480 women out of a total of 8,057 opted to continue their pregnancy after an initial abortion consultation, what steps he is taking to ensure that women in the UK who are considering an abortion receive support in the form of a high quality, in-person consultation.

There is no legal requirement for consultations for abortion to take place face to face. Guidance published by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists states that a woman must be given enough information and time, including the opportunity to ask any questions, to give informed consent. Safeguarding is an essential part of the assessment for abortion care. Where a more detailed assessment is required, judgement should be used to determine whether remote consultation is suitable for the individual. Where English is not the first language, care should be taken to establish that the woman has understood the process, via telephone interpreter if necessary and has had the opportunity to ask questions.