Ireland – Ten out of 19 maternity units have abortion services in place

Ten out of 19 maternity units have abortion services in place
The HSE has said that “service demand remains within the predicted limits” in relation to abortion services.

Apr 20, 2019

THERE ARE 10 maternity units providing abortion services out of a total of 19 units across the country, over three months after Ireland’s abortion laws have been legalised.

The HSE has said that nine maternity units had provided abortion services from the start of this year, and that one additional maternity unit had since begun to offer the service.

Continued: https://www.thejournal.ie/rotunda-hospital-abortion-4578751-Apr2019/


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/


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(Taoiseach) Irish PM Leo Varadkar called a "quiet revolution", had culminated with a day when the Eighth Amendment was repealed.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 – Abortion guidelines delay fuels fears service will be ‘railroaded through’

Abortion guidelines delay fuels fears service will be 'railroaded through'

Eilish O'Regan and Laura Larkin
December 5 2018

Doctors and hospitals have yet to receive guidelines on how women having abortions will be cared for.

The clinical guidelines are needed to advise and direct GPs and hospital doctors on key areas of care including prevention of complications.

Continued: https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/abortion-guidelines-delay-fuels-fears-service-will-be-railroaded-through-37596543.html


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 – Public list of GPs providing abortion ‘now likely’

Public list of GPs providing abortion 'now likely'
Pharmacists seek right to have conscientious objection

Eilish O'Regan and Shona Murray
June 12 2018

A public list of GPs who are registered to provide medical abortions may be necessary to ensure women looking for a termination are not left confused about where to get the service, it emerged yesterday.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar reiterated that while GPs can have a conscientious objection to providing medical abortions, they will be ethically obliged to refer a woman to a doctor who is participating in the scheme.

Continued; https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/public-list-of-gps-providing-abortion-now-likely-37000509.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


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