Dennis the 'Bloody Peasant'
11th October 2012, 09:37
Didn't realise how strict the rules were in NI.
The first private clinic to offer abortions to women in Northern Ireland is due to open next week.
The service, run by Marie Stopes, will operate in the centre of Belfast from 18 October.
It says it will provide terminations within Northern Ireland's current legal framework, where abortions are not illegal but are very strictly controlled.
However, an anti-abortion group has called for it to be shut down.
The law governing abortion in Northern Ireland is different to the rest of the UK.
In Northern Ireland abortions can only be carried out in cases where continuing the pregnancy would have a serious, permanent or long-term effect on the physical or mental health of the woman.
There is strict assessment regarding any impact on mental well-being and the woman must consult with her GP and a psychiatrist.
In all of these circumstances, the termination must be carried out before nine weeks gestation and it must be a "medical abortion", where two doses of pills are prescribed.
The Marie Stopes clinic says it will carry out medical not surgical procedures and only within the permitted nine-week gestation period.
The former Progressive Unionist Party leader, Dawn Purvis, who is the centre's programme director, said it would be "providing early medical abortion within the law as it exists in Northern Ireland".
Ms Purvis said the clinic would also provide advice and treatment for sexually transmitted disease and reproductive health, but it was prepared for any possible controversy.
"Our clients' needs are of paramount importance to us and how they access our services in a safe and secure route," she said.
(Full article here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19902778)
The first private clinic to offer abortions to women in Northern Ireland is due to open next week.
The service, run by Marie Stopes, will operate in the centre of Belfast from 18 October.
It says it will provide terminations within Northern Ireland's current legal framework, where abortions are not illegal but are very strictly controlled.
However, an anti-abortion group has called for it to be shut down.
The law governing abortion in Northern Ireland is different to the rest of the UK.
In Northern Ireland abortions can only be carried out in cases where continuing the pregnancy would have a serious, permanent or long-term effect on the physical or mental health of the woman.
There is strict assessment regarding any impact on mental well-being and the woman must consult with her GP and a psychiatrist.
In all of these circumstances, the termination must be carried out before nine weeks gestation and it must be a "medical abortion", where two doses of pills are prescribed.
The Marie Stopes clinic says it will carry out medical not surgical procedures and only within the permitted nine-week gestation period.
The former Progressive Unionist Party leader, Dawn Purvis, who is the centre's programme director, said it would be "providing early medical abortion within the law as it exists in Northern Ireland".
Ms Purvis said the clinic would also provide advice and treatment for sexually transmitted disease and reproductive health, but it was prepared for any possible controversy.
"Our clients' needs are of paramount importance to us and how they access our services in a safe and secure route," she said.
(Full article here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19902778)