Abortions (Hansard, 19 October 1992)

§ Dr. Spink
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what self-help groups are available for survivors of attempted abortions; and what assistance her department gives to such groups.

§ Mr. Sackville
The Department of Health does not have information on such self-help groups.

§ Dr. Spink
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what records are kept of the cost to the NHS of treating a damaged foetus, and subsequent child and adult, in either the physical or psychological sense, where the damage has arisen as a result of a failed abortion attempt.
70W

§ Mr. Sackville
Such information is not collected centrally.

§ Dr. Spink
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines are issued by her Department to doctors on the counselling of pregnant women who attempt to have the foetus aborted, but where the foetus lives.

§ Mr. Sackville
None.

§ Dr. Spink
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) where an abortion fails and the foetus survives to a live birth, what specific records are kept of the consequent damage to that child arising out of the unsuccessful abortion attempt;
(2) what records are kept of attempted abortions which fail and where the foetus survives.

§ Mr. Sackville
Such information would be recorded in the appropriate clinical records of the woman and child concerned.

§ Dr. Spink
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many attempted abortions in the United Kingdom failed and ended in a live birth for each of the last five years.

§ Mr. Sackville
This information is not available.

§ Dr. Spink
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is given to doctors in regard to dealing with abortions where the attempted abortion fails and a live birth follows and, in particular, on the advice given to mothers about whether they should disclose this to the surviving person.

§ Mr. Sackville
None.

§ Dr. Spink
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has on the number of people who have attempted to gain legal redress, against the National Health Service or any other body or person, for damages suffered where an abortion failed and the pregnancy resulted in a live birth.

§ Mr. Sackville
I am not aware of any such cases.