FOR RELEASE
Tuesday 09 June 2020
Rachel Woods MLA has asked for urgent clarification on the provision of contraceptive and Early Medical Abortion services in Northern Ireland.
The Green Party MLA questioned the Health Minister today (Tuesday 09 June 2020) about the provision of Early Medical Abortion and contraceptive services as he set out how the Department will rebuild Health and Social Care Services in the post Covid period.
Rachel Woods said: “Early Medical Abortion and contraceptive clinics are vital components of women’s reproductive health care.
“The Health Minister’s response to my question in the Assembly today requires urgent clarification. The Minister didn’t address the question about when Contraceptive Clinics will be reinstated.
“In terms of abortion, however, the Minister appeared to indicate that the Assembly should debate the provision of Early Medical Abortion services - a service offered to women at present on an interim basis.
“There is a legal duty on the Department to put abortion services in place. I would expect that the Health Minister is sufficiently across his brief to realise that the Assembly debate last week has no bearing on that legal duty.”
ENDS
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