§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will embody the British Medical Association guidelines on conscientious objection to abortion in a departmental circular to GPs. [16095]
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§ Mr. HoramIn 1991 the general medical services council of the British Medical Association issued guidance to general practitioners through local medical committees, reminding them of their objections under their terms of service. The guidance remains extant, and GPs who have a conscientious objection to abortion should refer the patient to another doctor as soon as possible.
§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will direct regional health executives not to employ criteria for NHS abortions which are not provided for in the Abortion Act 1967. [16096]
§ Mr. HoramThe Abortion Act 1967 as amended sets out the grounds on which abortion may lawfully be carried out. The criteria health authorities use when deciding on the level of abortion services are not covered by the Act.
§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement of the Abortion Law Reform Association report on "NHS Abortion Services". [16161]
§ Mr. HoramThe Abortion Law Reform Association report has indicted that where the conditions of the Abortion Act 1967 as amended are met there is an overall national improvement in access to abortion services.
Any specific service issues are a matter for local health authorities and should be brought up with them in the first instance.