Ireland – Permanent use of telemedicine in abortion care is a positive, patient-centred step

The Department of Health has said telemedicine abortion will 'lapse' once the pandemic ends - this would be a mistake, writes Alison Spillane of the Irish Family Planning Association.

MON, 24 MAY, 2021
ALISON SPILLANE

Abortion has been available in Ireland since January 2019. Telemedicine abortion has been an option for almost half of that time. It expands patient choices and supports reproductive autonomy. Yet, women and pregnant people might be summarily deprived of this critical innovation.

Early in the Covid-19 pandemic, the HSE revised the model of care for abortion services to allow doctors to provide care via phone or video consultations. “Telemedicine abortion”, both as a primary mode of care delivery and in combination with in-person care, has enabled community providers of early abortion care to maintain an essential health service, while minimising the risk of Covid-19 exposure for both patients and staff.

Continued: https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-40297127.html


Abortion, Newly Legal in Ireland, Faces Old Roadblocks

Abortion, Newly Legal in Ireland, Faces Old Roadblocks

By Ceylan Yeginsu
Jan. 28, 2019

DUBLIN — The abortion clinic’s website pops up at the top of a Google search for “free ultrasound,” its content and color scheme mimicking the government’s new support service for unplanned pregnancy.

“Looking for abortion advice?” “How far along am I?” The bright orange speech bubbles attached to stock images of smiling medical experts purport to inform women about abortion options that became legally available in Ireland on Jan. 1.

Continued: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/28/world/europe/ireland-abortion.html


Ireland – Stakeholders meet on introduction of abortion services

Stakeholders meet on introduction of abortion services
Simon Harris said it was a priority of the Government to develop a woman-centred, safe and regulated service in January 2019

Monday, 8 Oct 2018
By Ailbhe Conneely

A round-table discussion has taken place between the main stakeholders in the introduction of abortion services. The Minister for Health, Simon Harris, the Chairman of the Institute of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians, Dr Peter Boylan, and officials from Department of Health met last week to discuss the issue.

Concerns were raised last month at the Oireachtas Committee on Health over the need for the Department, the HSE and clinical stakeholders to meet about the service which is expected to be up and running in January.

Continued: https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2018/1008/1001696-abortion/