Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his policy is on reporting to the police for investigation evidence of incomplete abortion notification (HSA4) forms held by his Department; and what his policy is on the period of time that may elapse between receiving an incomplete HSA4 form and the full completion of that form before referring both the form and the registered medical practitioner to the relevant authorities in accordance with section 2(3) of the Abortion Act 1967.

Incorrect or incomplete HSA4 abortion notification forms are returned to the terminating practitioner until such information is corrected or completed.

The Department issued guidance in May this year to help clinicians comply with the requirements of the Abortion Act, including their obligations with regard to the notification and completion of HSA4 forms.