Concerns over gaps in care as abortion services begin in Ireland

Concerns over gaps in care as abortion services begin in Ireland
Ireland lifted tight restrictions on abortion from January 1, but fewer than 200 family doctors have signed up to take part

by Sonia Elks | Thomson Reuters Foundation
Thursday, 3 January 2019

LONDON, Jan 3 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Women seeking abortions in Ireland may not get comprehensive care as health services struggle to meet demand for the fast-tracked launch of the service, a national group representing family doctors said on Thursday.

Ireland lifted tight restrictions on abortion from January 1, but fewer than 200 family doctors – about 5 percent of the total – .

Continued: http://news.trust.org//item/20190103183124-1jum2/

03.01.2019

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Concerns as Irish abortion services start

Concerns as Irish abortion services start

By Leanna Byrne BBC News NI
3 January 2019

Seven months and nine days ago, 1.4 million people in Ireland voted to remove its anti-abortion laws.

What (Taoiseach) Irish PM Leo Varadkar called a "quiet revolution", had culminated with a day when the Eighth Amendment was repealed.

Irish Health Minister Simon Harris hailed the passing of the legislation as a "new era for Irish women".

continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46737593

Ireland – Harris insists abortion services will be ready despite doctors’ concerns

Harris insists abortion services will be ready despite doctors’ concerns

Catherine Sanz, Ireland Reporter
November 27 2018

Simon Harris has rejected claims by doctors that abortion services will not be ready by early next year.

The health minister said that some GPs had taken issue with the January deadline for the introduction of medical abortion through pills provided by a GP. He said that many other doctors had “said things exactly to the contrary”.

Continued: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/harris-insists-abortion-services-will-be-ready-despite-doctors-concerns-dffhgn2np

Ireland – GPs body warns abortion services will ‘fall short of what women deserve’

GPs body warns abortion services will 'fall short of what women deserve'

Tuesday, November 20, 2018
By Stephen Rogers

A representative body for GPs has warned abortion services here will "fall short of what women deserve" with a number of key issues either unaddressed or in need of clarity.

“Many questions remain as to how GPs will be expected to provide a safe abortion service for the women of Ireland," said NAGP president Dr Maitiu O' Tuathail.

Continued: https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/gps-body-warns-abortion-services-will-fall-short-of-what-women-deserve-886601.html

Ireland – Government expects to design ‘opt-in’ GP system for abortion

Government expects to design ‘opt-in’ GP system for abortion
Doctors not participating will be obliged to refer patients elsewhere for treatment

June 12, 2018
Sarah Bardon Political Reporter

The Government is expected to design an opt-in system for medical professionals willing to provide abortion services and allow doctors conscientiously object to providing the care.

The legislation to regulate the termination of pregnancy, in line with the decision made in last month’s referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment, is being considered by the Attorney General Séamus Woulfe’s office.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/government-expects-to-design-opt-in-gp-system-for-abortion-1.3527090

Ireland – Abortion: Taoiseach says around 60 GPs can provide service

Abortion: Taoiseach says around 60 GPs can provide service
Varadkar is not concerned that GPs might seek to block roll-out of abortion next year

June 11, 2018
Simon Carswell

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he thinks 50 or 60 GPs would be sufficient to carry out abortions given that just six women in Ireland seek medical abortions every day.

Mr Varadkar insisted no GP would be forced to perform a termination of pregnancy against a conscientious objection but if they object, they must refer patients on to GPs who will.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/abortion-referendum/abortion-taoiseach-says-around-60-gps-can-provide-service-1.3526634

11.06.2018

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Ireland – GPs must be allowed decide for themselves whether to offer abortion

GPs must be allowed decide for themselves whether to offer abortion
One group representing family doctors met in Portlaoise to discuss formal response to abortion referendum

Sat, Jun 9, 2018
Brian Hutton

Family doctors will tell the government they must be allowed decide for themselves whether to offer abortion or not.

The National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP), which says it represents 2,500 of Ireland’s 3,500 GPs, has agreed “overwhelmingly” to demand an “opt-in” approach to providing pregnancy terminations.

It also estimates eight in ten GPs would choose not to opt-in under such a system.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/gps-must-be-allowed-decide-for-themselves-whether-to-offer-abortion-1.3525458

09.06.2018

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Ireland – GPs group calls on Harris to ensure doctors must ‘opt in’ to provide abortion services

GPs group calls on Harris to ensure doctors must 'opt in' to provide abortion services
The NAGP passed a series of motions after an emergency meeting today following the result of the referendum.

June 9, 2018

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of General Practitioners (NAGP) have held an emergency meeting to discuss the outcome of the Eighth Amendment referendum, and passed motions calling for an “opt-in” provision for doctors to provide abortion services.

The NAGP have also called for a conscientious objection provision to be inserted into any legislation passed by government in the wake of the referendum result.

Continued: http://www.thejournal.ie/abortion-services-gps-4057863-Jun2018/

Ireland: Medical professionals will be able to object to providing terminations

Medical professionals will be able to object to providing terminations
GPs, obstetricians and gynaecologists will be allowed to conscientiously object

Feb 7, 2018
Sarah Bardon

Medical professionals will be able to object to the administration of terminations under Government proposals.

Minister for Health Simon Harris has confirmed he will allow for GPs, obstetricians and gynaecologists to conscientiously object to providing terminations in medical settings. The Government is seeking to introduce legislation to allow for abortions up to 12 weeks and believes this should be a service led by GPs.

However those representing GPs are critical of the lack of engagement by Mr Harris on the proposed legislation.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/medical-professionals-will-be-able-to-object-to-providing-terminations-1.3382792