For immediate release 25/02/2022
Women on Web will continue to provide telemedical abortion services in England after the 29th of August 2022, when women are set to lose their right to have early medical abortions at home.
In March 2020, the UK Government authorized home use of abortion pills in response to the pandemic. Women accessing medical abortion up to 10 weeks’ gestation have been able to consult with a provider by phone and have Mifepristone and Misoprostol mailed for home use.
As a result of the temporary “pills by post” measure, Women on Web saw a sharp decline in demand for self-managed abortions from the UK and requests for abortions pills reduced almost to zero. The benefits of at-home abortion have been clear; women are accessing abortion care faster and from the privacy of their homes, reducing the need for physical contact, travelling and scheduling around work and childcare.
There are no medical or scientific justifications to end at-home abortions and the Welsh government has already announced that home abortions will become a permanent option to end an early pregnancy. Research and evidence repeatedly show that the new service delivery model has improved access to care and been effective, safe, and preferred by a majority of the patients.
France and New Zealand recently made telemedicine abortions permanently available and last year the US Food and Drug Administration lifted restrictions and allowed access to abortion pills by mail. The decision in England to end at-home abortions shows a deep distrust in science and women’s reproductive rights and will result in delays in accessing abortion care.
We urge to make at-home abortions a permanent service. Until then, Women on Web online abortion service will remain available and continue to support women in England with safe medical abortion services.
For more information or press inquiries, please contact to info@womenonweb.org.
Read the press release online here.
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