§ Baroness Masham of Iltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What type of material is supplied to a woman contemplating an abortion in the National Health 22WA Service; and whether they will place in the Library of the House examples of such material given; and [HL389]
Whether any booklets or other information are given by the National Health Service to a woman contemplating an abortion that would show foetal development; and [HL390]
Whether the abortion procedures are explained in detail by the National Health Service to a woman contemplating an abortion; and [HL391]
Whether the adverse consequences of an abortion are discussed by the National Health Service with a woman contemplating an abortion. [HL392]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe Department of Health-funded Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) evidence-based guidelineThe Care of Women Requesting Induced Abortion (2000), which is applicable to National Health Service and independent sector providers, recognises the importance of women seeking abortion receiving accurate, impartial information. Verbal advice must be supported by printed information which every woman considering abortion can understand and may take away and read before the procedure.
The guideline states that professionals should be equipped to provide women with the information they need in order to give genuinely informed consent: that abortion is safe and complications are uncommon; description of the abortion methods that are available; immediate complications including haemorrhage requiring blood transfusion, uterine perforation which may require immediate abdominal surgery, cervical laceration which may require suturing and anaesthetic complications; complications in the early weeks following abortion including incomplete abortion requiring re-evacuation, continuing pregnancy, pelvic 23WA infection, short-term emotional distress and ectopic pregnancy; and long-term effects of abortion (which are rare or uproven) including breast cancer, infertility and psychological sequelae.
In 2001 the Department of Health also funded the RCOG to produce the patient leaflet About Abortion Care; which is available for use by NHS and independent sector providers. The leaflet does not provide information on foetal development. The leaflet can be found at www.rcog.org.uk/resources/ pdf/12062001 abortion care.pdf. Copies have also been placed in the Library. In addition, many NHS and independent sector providers produce their own literature for women considering an abortion.