Written question WQ100495
- Asked by
- Sarah ReesPlaid
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 9 days
Question
What action is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that pregnant people across Wales are not having to travel out of the country to receive adequate abortion care?
Answer
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health (Delyth Jewell)
Women in Wales should be able to access health services as close to their home as possible. Abortion care should be provided by health boards in line with NICE guidance, however in certain circumstances specialist service provision may be required which may be provided as a commissioned service by another health board or trust.
All health boards offer Early Medical Abortion at home (EMAH) up to nine weeks six days gestation. The latest data, from January to December 2023, shows the vast majority of abortions took place in the early stages of pregnancy with 91% under 10 weeks.
We are aware surgical abortion services are not where we would like them to be. Work is underway to develop a clear policy position on abortion which will clarify our expectations of health boards. This will include establishing a clear pathway for later-stage complex abortion procedures.