§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the health authorities which do not offer abortions within 10 weeks. [19455]
§ Yvette CooperAll health authorities in England and Wales funded some national health service abortions within 10 weeks gestation of pregnancy in 2000. However, the percentage funded by the NHS varied, and ranged from 26 per cent. in one health authority area to 96 per cent. or more in three health authority areas.
The sexual health and HIV strategy states that services should be developed to provide NHS funded abortions in line with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' clinical guideline "Induced Abortion" and has set a target that from 2005, commissioners should ensure that women who meet the legal requirements have access to abortion within three weeks of the first appointment with the general practitioner or other referring doctor.