Abortion access in second trimester 'worst in the UK' in Wales

A charity has identified Wales as the worst region in the UK for the provision of surgical abortions, leading to many women having to seek treatment in England. The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) expressed surprise at this ranking, noting that even Northern Ireland, where abortion was only decriminalised in 2019, outperforms Wales in this regard. This lack of access to surgical abortions in Wales has led to concerns about the additional stress and guilt experienced by women who have to travel for the procedure.

The Welsh government has acknowledged the need for improvement in mid-trimester abortion services, recognizing the importance of providing essential healthcare services closer to home for women in need. In Wales, England, and Scotland, abortion is permitted up to 24 weeks of pregnancy with the approval of two doctors. Prior to decriminalisation in 2019, Northern Ireland only allowed abortion in very specific circumstances, but has since expanded its services to include second trimester surgical abortions beyond 20 weeks.

One woman, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared her experience of unexpectedly becoming pregnant and facing challenges in accessing a surgical abortion due to an existing medical condition. She was eventually offered the procedure in London at around 16 weeks pregnant, prompting feelings of guilt and stress over being sent away for care. The emotional toll of the experience led her to ultimately continue with the pregnancy until around 28 weeks, describing it as a profoundly difficult period in her life.

Rachael Clarke from BPAS highlighted the struggles faced by women in Wales who have to travel to England for abortion care, emphasizing the need for improved access to services closer to home. The skills gap and lack of doctors routinely performing surgical abortions present significant barriers to addressing the issue effectively. The Welsh government has pledged to work with NHS Wales to identify and overcome specific obstacles in providing surgical abortion services locally, while exploring short-term improvements and developing a sustainable service for the future

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