Women forced to cross border for abortions as ‘only one Scots surgeon trained’

Women in Scotland are being forced to travel across the border for abortions due to a lack of trained surgeons in the country. According to Dr Ed Dorman, there is only one doctor, Dr Reynolds-Wright, who is trained to perform surgical abortions in Scotland. Scottish doctors have to travel to England to receive training in surgical care, leading to later term abortions in Scotland being conducted with a medical pill, resulting in a labour-like experience for women 13 weeks and over into a pregnancy.

The limited availability of surgical abortion care in Scotland has led to a record high number of women crossing the border into England for the procedure. Dr Dorman, co-chair of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists abortion task force, highlighted the concerning situation where Scottish doctors have to travel to England for training, leaving limited options for women seeking surgical abortions in Scotland. The lack of trained NHS staff capable of performing late surgical abortion procedures across the UK poses risks to women’s health and safety.

Dr Dorman emphasised the importance of providing women with a choice of abortion methods up to the legal limit of 24 weeks, in line with NICE guidelines. He pointed out that many women prefer surgical abortions due to avoiding the emotional trauma of medically induced abortions after 14 weeks. Dr Dorman advocated for authorities to ensure the delivery of surgical care and suggested penalties for hospitals delaying the provision of these services.

Lucy Grieve, co-founder of Back Off Scotland, expressed concerns over the limited access to surgical abortion services in Scotland, emphasising the importance of women’s rights and the need for healthcare autonomy. While some changes, such as telemedical appointments for early pregnancy, have been introduced in Scotland, there is a call for more comprehensive and accessible surgical abortion services to be established to support women’s choices and safety.

In response to the challenges faced by women seeking later stage abortions in Scotland, the Scottish Government has committed to working with NHS Boards to improve access to abortion services and ensure patient safety. Efforts are underway to consider different delivery options for abortion care in Scotland, including support for patients needing to travel for treatment.

The issue of limited surgical abortion services in Scotland highlights the importance of prioritising women’s healthcare needs and rights, and the ongoing efforts required to ensure access to safe and comprehensive abortion care for all women in the country.