§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the continuing evidence that certain gynaecologists are refusing to terminate pregnancies because of their own religious or other views, in cases referred to them by the patient's own family doctors, he will advise all consultant gynaecologists that such patients are entitled to an immediate second opinion and that they should advise such patients accordingly.
§ Mr AlisonThe question of obtaining a second opinion is essentially a professional matter for the doctors involved. I understand that doctors who have a conscientious objection to abortion would regard it as normal practice to consult colleagues who have no such objections whenever this is necessary in the patient's interest.
I would expect this matter to be among those to be considered by Mrs. Justice Lane's Committee in its review of the operation of the Abortion Act.