Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Abortion Act 1967 to allow one doctor, nurse or midwife to certify abortion procedures while the medical profession is under strain due to the covid-19 outbreak.

The Government has no plans to amend the requirement for two doctors to certify abortion procedures under the Abortion Act 1967 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Abortion is classed as an essential service.

We have put in place two temporary measures in England to ensure continued access to abortion services: women and girls are able to take both pills (Mifepristone and Misoprostol) for early medical abortion up to 10 weeks gestation in their own homes, without the need to first attend a hospital or clinic (subject to eligibility following a telephone or e-consultation with a clinician); and registered medical practitioners are able to prescribe both pills for the treatment of early medical abortion up to 10 weeks from their own homes.