CQC inspection of abortion clinics
Voice For Choice is not surprised to hear the CQC’s
investigation found the vast majority of abortion services were found to be
completely compliant with law and regulations. Of the cases that were found to
be in breach of regulations most of these cases were of errors on forms or
incomplete form filling. There is no suggestion that there has been any
shortfall in the care of women in these services.
The unprecedented investigation seems to be part of a
general attempt to discredit abortion services by some elements of the media
and some politicians. Over recent weeks these people have been quick, pre-emptively,
to claim that the CQC investigations showed that women were being let down. The
results of the investigation show no such thing. In its statement on the inspections the CQC
says ‘CQC did not find any evidence that
any women had poor outcomes of care at any of these locations.’
In fact doctors who are doing everything possible to improve
services for women – and have been incredibly successful in helping increase
the proportion of abortions happening earlier in pregnancy, in line with
recommendations from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and
the Department of Health – have been subject to threats of legal action and
suspension.
The CQC is right to provide clarification for doctors on
what is and is not good practice. However, we deplore the effect this highly
politicised and publicised investigation has had on those providing abortion.
It has created a climate of fear amongst doctors and made some reorganise their
services in ways that are actually creating delays for women and additional
costs to the NHS.
One in three women in the UK will access abortion in their lifetime.
A relatively small number of doctors provide this service. They absolutely must
be supported to do their job which is a vital element of health service
provision.
Please contact the Voice for Choice Spokesperson:
Lisa Hallgarten - lhallgarten[at]rhmjournal.org.uk
Voice for Choice is a coalition of organisations committed to defending and extending women's choice on abortion. Members include: Abortion Rights, Antenatal Results and Choices, bpas, Brook, Doctors for a Woman's Choice on Abortion, Education For Choice, Pro-choice Forum, Reproductive Health Matters.
No comments:
Post a Comment- Add yours!
We love to hear your comments. However, we don't approve the ones that attack EFC staff members or other commenters personally, or use discriminatory language, hate speech or offensive language, or are spam or clearly off topic. Thanks, and happy commenting!