§ Dr. StoateTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will require general practitioners to make information publicly available as to whether they are prepared to refer women for abortion. [43602]
§ Ms JowellReferrals under the Abortion Act are part of the general medical services provided by general practitioners. Guidance issued by the British Medical Association states that practitioners with a conscientious objection to abortion who fail to refer on to another practitioner quickly could be alleged to be in breach of their terms of service. In these circumstances public statements about the GP's personal views on abortion are neither necessary nor appropriate.
§ Dr. StoateTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will replace the current assurances for private hospitals providing abortion with guidelines that will apply to both NHS and private services. [43603]
§ Ms JowellMy right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State has a power under Section 1(3) of the Abortion Act to approve non-National Health Service premises for termination of pregnancy. The assurances were introduced to combat abuses of the Act and to ensure that approved places provide an appropriate standard of care. The approval and monitoring processes have ensured that these abuses have been eradicated. Key extracts from the current assurances were issued to the NHS in 1995 for information.
§ Dr. StoateTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if the inquiry into health inequalities will include an investigation of inequalities in abortion services. [43597]
§ Ms JowellIt is for the Independent Inquiry into Inequalities in Health to determine its own work programme in discharging its terms of reference. Copies of the terms of reference have been placed in the Library.
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