Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Answer of 19 December 2017 to Question 118932 on Abortion: Childbirth, whether there is a requirement for babies born in cases of live birth following attempted termination of pregnancy in the UK before 21 weeks and six days of gestation to be provided with (a) life-saving treatment and (b) palliative care; and whether his Department has issued guidance on that matter.

Data on how many infants have been born after a failed abortion is not held centrally.

As set out in the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ guideline on Termination of Pregnancy for Fetal Abnormality, a fetus born alive after termination for a fetal abnormality is deemed to be a child and must be treated in his or her best interests and managed within published guidance for neonatal practice. A fetus born alive with abnormalities incompatible with long-term survival should be managed to maintain comfort and dignity during terminal care.