Extensive changes to abortion laws in Ireland will be in women’s best interest, according to a former consultant obstetrician.
The report – which has yet to be published – will be presented to Cabinet by the Health Minister on Tuesday.
Its recommendations include making the three-day waiting period before an abortion “optional”.
Former consultant obstetrician Dr Peter Boylan said the recommendations are “sensible”.
“The report seems to be extremely well-written,” he said. “The recommendations are exactly what women need and that’s what it’s all about – the provision and services that women need.”
Under current legislation, women seeking an abortion must get certification from two GPs that they are under 12 weeks pregnant. They must then wait three days before they get the final procedure.
If a woman becomes over 12 weeks pregnant during the three-day waiting period, they can no longer get an abortion.
“The recommendations need to be accepted in the interest of women’s health,” Dr Boylan said.
GPs
The review also calls for an end to the criminalisation of doctors that carry out abortions outside the specific circumstances allowed for by law.
Currently, doctors face up to 14 years in prison if they provide abortion care in any other circumstance.
Dr Boylan says removing the criminal element from the legislation is crucial.
“The criminalisation of doctors should stop,” he said. “It’s the only medical procedure in the country in which if you get it wrong, you’re subjected to criminal sanction.”
26/05/2018 Abortion Referendum. Yes campaigners with their posters celebrating their win in Dublin Castle after the the yes vote won the Irish referendum to repeal the 8th Amendment, Photo Leah Farrell/ RollingNews.ieFatal foetual abnormalities
The review also calls for strict obligations to be placed on healthcare workers to prevent them from providing misinformation.
The review also calls for changes to the laws surrounding termination in cases of fatal foetal abnormality.
Currently women can only access abortion outside 12 weeks gestation if two medical practitioners form a reasonable opinion the foetus will likely die before or within 28 days of birth.
It is understood the review recommends that if a doctor has formed an opinion in good faith that a pregnancy would result in a fatal foetal abnormality, they can recommend a termination.
Taoiseach “uncomfortable”
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said this week he would feel “uncomfortable” about making major changes to the nation’s abortion laws.
“I [voted yes] on the basis that there were safeguards,” he said.
“That there were protections, that we would try to have a situation whereby abortion in Ireland was safe, legal and rare.
“I would be reluctant, and I would be uncomfortable to make any major changes to the legislation.”
Main image: splitscreen of Dr Peter Boylan and posters during the campaign on repealing the 8th Amendment. Images via Rolling News.
