§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what reviews are undertaken by her Department of abortion regulations and guidance following the deaths of mothers during or due to abortion;
(2) whether her officials automatically inspect private abortion clinics or hospitals following the death of women treated in such facilities.
§ Mr. SackvilleAll reported deaths following termination of pregnancy in places approved under section 1(3) of the Abortion Act 1967, as amended, are investigated by the Department and any necessary follow-up action is taken.
§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what reports she receives of individual mothers' deaths caused by abortion.
§ Mr. SackvilleDetails of maternal deaths, including those from legal termination, are reported and published triennially in the "Report on Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths in the United Kingdom", copies of which are available in the Library. Also, private sector places approved by the Secretary of State under section 1(3) of the Abortion Act 1967, as amended, are required to notify the Department immediately if any death occurs during or after an abortion operation.