§ Mr. Rhodes Jamesasked the secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made in authorising daycare abortion treatment in private nursing homes; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Dr. VaughanI am authorising day-care treatment for early abortion in eight commercial nursing homes and one nursing home belonging to a charitable trust. I am satisfied that at these nursing homes acceptable arrangements have been made for day care. Applications for approval from a further five nursing homes are under consideration.
I recognise the many anxieties expressed by hon. Members in the House about late abortions and hope that these authorisations, already proved acceptable by controlled trials, will reduce to some extent the number of late abortions which can be so distressing.