bpas press releases

The latest releases are posted on the bpas website here.

Press statement 15 May 2008

‘MPs should protect the 24-week abortion time limit to protect vulnerable women’

On Thursday 15th May, MPs will receive details of a new case-note analysis of all women requesting abortion at BPAS clinics between 22 and 24 weeks’ gestation in a given period. This provides compelling evidence for retaining the 24 week time limit on abortion.

A complete cohort of 32 women who requested abortion above 22 weeks’ of pregnancy in a randomly chosen 28-day period in 2008, show complex and difficult circumstances leading to delays in abortion requests.

The women requesting abortion included young teenagers, women on drug rehabilitation programmes, those with children in care. Others had a diagnosis of fetal abnormality. Their situations were such that the women were either not aware of their pregnancy earlier, or not in a position to seek an abortion at an earlier gestation.

MPs will vote on amendments to the legal gestational limit for abortion on Tuesday 20 May, as part of the discussion on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.

BPAS is concerned that any reduction in the legal time limit would compel women like these in vulnerable situations to continue pregnancies which they cannot cope with.

Ann Furedi, Chief Executive of the sexual healthcare charity BPAS said

‘Looking at these women’s situations, it is hard to see how anyone can believe that any one of these women should be denied an abortion because they presented above 22 weeks.

‘Many of these women are already struggling to keep their families together, some are still children themselves, others know they could not be adequate mothers. The problems presented by their pregnancies will not disappear because an abortion is denied.

‘We need politicians to face the uncomfortable truths of women’s lives, rather than seeking to impose further burdens on them. Politicians must legislate for life as it really is.’

ENDS

KEY FINDINGS from the audit of BPAS case notes:

• Individuals requesting abortion above 22 weeks’ gestation ranged from 14 years old to 31 years old. 10 of 32 were teenagers.
• 11 of 32 already had children. Many requested to end this pregnancy in order to be able to cope with the needs of their existing family. Some mothers had children in care.
• Others felt unable to be ‘good enough’ mothers to a new baby at this point in their lives. 3 of 32 were on drug treatment programmes or drug users. 1 of 32 had reported her partner to the police for abusing her daughters.
• 2 of 32 women could not be found a treatment appointment despite presenting before 24 weeks, because of the lack of national capacity for late abortion care. These women were referred into antenatal care to continue the pregnancy.
• 8 of the 32 did not know they were pregnant until some time into the pregnancy, others went into ‘denial’, or ‘hoped it would go away’.
• 1 of the 32 women decided to continue with her pregnancy, after non-directive support and information from the BPAS team. As she became confident of her decision, she was referred into antenatal care.
• The pregnancies of 6 of the 32 women were found to be beyond the 24-week time limit. They were referred into antenatal care. (BPAS receives requests from approximately 100 women each year whose pregnancies are found to be beyond 24 weeks and 0 days.)

NOTES

Please contact the BPAS press office on 07788 725 185 to request more information or an interview with Ann Furedi of BPAS.

BPAS has centres across England, Wales and Scotland and is the UK’s primary not-for-profit sexual healthcare provider, 87% of which is provided on behalf of the NHS.

Four of the charity’s centres provide treatment between 20 weeks and 23 weeks and 6 days, which is approximately 80% of national provision at these gestations. In 2007, 985 women had treatment between 20 weeks and 21 weeks 6 days’ gestation, 615 women between 22 weeks and 23 weeks 6 days, with BPAS. As well as contraceptive advice and treatment, BPAS carried out around 55,000 terminations of pregnancy in 2007.

Every woman requesting abortion treatment from BPAS is ultrasound scanned in order to date the pregnancy, in accordance with RCOG guidance.

Late abortion is comparatively rare. According to the Department of Health, in 2006 in England and Wales, 89% of abortions were carried out at under 13 weeks gestation; 68% at under 10 weeks. Only 1.45% of all abortions in England and Wales took place between 20 weeks’ and up to 24 weeks’ gestation.

Late abortion is disproportionately likely to involve teenage or vulnerable women. Typically it is requested after delayed recognition of pregnancy, family or relationship breakdown, domestic violence, sexual assault or rape; ‘denial’ of pregnancy due to fear of parents’ or partners’ reactions; not knowing where to ask for help, delays to referral or the diagnosis of a serious fetal abnormality. Researchers from Southampton University studied this group in 2007: Ingham and Lee’s study is peer-reviewed and forthcoming in the journal ‘Reproductive Health Matters’ 2008; 16 (31 Supplement).

The amendments to the 1967 Abortion Act in 1990, mean that abortion can be legally given where ‘the pregnancy has not exceeded the 24th week’, with no time limit for fetal abnormality, risk of grave permanent damage to physical or mental health, or risk to the woman’s life.

UK abortion law has traditionally fixed the time limit at ‘viability’- the point at which a premature baby could stand a reasonable chance of survival if born. Peer-reviewed evidence shows that the survival of babies born below the 24-week abortion time limit has not changed since 1990 when the law was last fixed.

The preliminary results of the EPICure 2 study have not yet been published in full but results were presented at the Scientific Conference of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in York on 15 April of this year. Another peer-reviewed British study published in last week’s BMJ offers further support to these findings.

The British Medical Association, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal College of Nursing and the British Association of Perinatal Medicine, the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee and the UK government all agree that survival rates below 24 weeks’ gestation have not significantly improved since the Act was last amended in 1990. This means that on the basis of fetal viability there is no cause to reduce the 24 week limit. (see p4, ‘Government Response to the Report from the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee on the Scientific Developments Relating to the Abortion Act 1967’).

Requests for abortion that are approved complied with ground 1 (1) a of the 1967 Abortion Act (as amended by the 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act), that is, that two doctors have agreed in good faith that
‘the pregnancy has not exceeded its twenty-fourth week and that the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated, of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman or any existing children of her family’. There is no time limit in case of ‘substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped’, ‘grave permanent injury’ to the woman’s physical or mental health, or risk to her life.

See this link for details of the 1967 Abortion Act (as amended by the 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act.

Press statement 18 April 2008

BPAS comment on the sad death of Gwyneth Dunwoody MP, champion of women’s rights and health and the 1967 Abortion Act

The charity BPAS (the British Pregnancy Advisory Service), provides family planning services and abortion care. A booklet to mark the 40th Anniversary of the 1967 Abortion Act (which came into force on 27 April 1968), has been published including interviews with Gwyneth Dunwoody MP and Dr John Dunwoody MP, who took central roles in supporting the passing of the 1967 Abortion Act.

Mrs Dunwoody said in her interview:

‘Nowadays people talk as if there are those who like abortion and those who don’t. Nobody likes abortion. But not liking something, and recognising the need for it, are two very different things.

‘I felt very strongly about the need for an Abortion Act because, as a young doctor’s wife, I used to see what happened before the Act. People sometimes talk as if no abortions took place in this country, but they did and it was pretty horrifying. […] there were people who were doing appalling things to themselves, because for financial or perhaps health-related reasons they could not afford other children. And women died of illegal abortions, or made themselves sterile for life.

‘It was essential that abortion should be legal and properly organised, not least because it was working-class women who suffered, I think, more than anyone. There were always ways around the law if you had a lot of cash.’

Ann Furedi, Chief Executive of the sexual and reproductive healthcare charity BPAS said:

‘Gwyneth was a forthright, outspoken champion of women’s equality who fought for legal abortion because she believed it was morally right, in times long before it was seen as politically acceptable to do so. She was a true conviction politician and we could use a few more.’

ENDS

NOTES for EDITORS

Please contact the BPAS press office on 07788 725 185 to request more information. The interviews with Gwyneth Dunwoody MP and her husband Dr John Dunwoody MP are available in the booklet ‘Abortion Law Reformers: Pioneers of Change- Interviews with people who made the 1967 Act possible’ on request from BPAS, or online here.

Press statement 28 February 2008

bpas responds to new Office of National Statistics pregnancy figures

Ann Furedi, Chief Executive of BPAS (the British Pregnancy Advisory Service), the charity which discusses pregnancy and contraception options with 85,000 men and women and provides around 55,000 women with abortion treatment each year, said of the new conceptions data in England and Wales:

‘These statistics show how important it is to many people to be able to plan their families- women are increasingly becoming a mother at an older age, when they feel their situation is right. This entails a longer time in their lives while couples are sexually active but not intending to start a family. Unfortunately no contraceptive method is 100% effective, so the across the population more women will experience an unwanted pregnancy. This needs to be met with consistent NHS investment in comprehensive contraceptive and abortion services.

‘The full year’s data for abortion in 2007 are not yet available, but the new quarterly figures show that more women were able to have earlier abortion treatment. This is encouraging as earlier treatment is more physically straightforward for the woman and is more cost-effective for the NHS to provide.’

ENDS

Notes for Editors

For more information, or to arrange an interview with BPAS’ Chief Executive Ann Furedi, please contact the BPAS press office on: 020 7612 0206, or 07788 725 185.

The charity BPAS is the UK’s leading not-for-profit sexual healthcare provider, over 87% of which care is provided free of charge on behalf of the NHS. Typical non-NHS funded clients may have travelled to BPAS from the Irish Republic, Northern Ireland or Italy, locations where access to safe, legal abortion remains restricted by law. As well as contraceptive advice and treatment, BPAS carried out around 55,000 terminations of pregnancy in 2007. BPAS has centres across England, Wales and Scotland. Please see www.bpas.org for further information.

The quarterly 2007 data on abortions is taken from Table 4.2, ‘Abortions: residents and non-residents; age and gestation (residents only)’ England and Wales: Health Statistics Quarterly 37, Spring 2008, published by the Office of National Statistics.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, (RCOG) states that ‘At least one-third of British women will have had an abortion by the time they reach the age of 45’ (see p1, ‘Care of women requesting induced abortion’, Evidence-based Guideline Number 7, Sept 2004).

For most women, having an abortion poses fewer medical risks than going through pregnancy and birth. See the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ (RCOG) information on this for more details.

The 1967 Abortion Act requires that two doctors must agree that the risk to a woman’s physical or mental health, or the risk to her children’s physical or mental health will be greater, if she continues with the pregnancy than if she ends it. This applies up until 24 weeks’ gestation. This Act does not extend to Northern Ireland.

Doctors agree that in countries where safe, legal abortion is not available, women’s lives are put at risk. Worldwide 68,000 women die each year after unsafe abortion, according to the World Health Organisation. Many thousands of others are left with severe long-term health problems as a consequence.

Press statement 4 June 2007

BPAS responds to the ten-minute rule ’Termination of Pregnancy (Counselling and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill’ to be presented on Tuesday 5th June by Lady Ann Winterton MP (Con).

Ann Furedi, Chief Executive of BPAS, the UK’s leading sexual healthcare charity which also provides abortion care for 55,000 women each year, said today:

‘This is an unnecessary and disingenuous Bill. All women seeking abortion are already offered counselling and receive information about the effects of treatment, as specified by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

‘This Bill could even be harmful by introducing an unnecessary treatment delay before abortion, causing all women undue stress and potentially requiring some to need more complex treatment.

‘Women don’t need Parliament to tell them to think carefully about abortion. We see 55,000 women each year who wrestle with this choice, often presenting some weeks into pregnancy after needing time to consider their options and to discuss them with their families. Ann Winterton has been voicing her personal objections to abortion for decades now, but politicians should keep out of the consulting room.’

NOTES for EDITORS

For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact Laura Riley in the BPAS press office on 020 7612 0206 or 07788 725 185, or email .

BPAS, (formerly known as the British Pregnancy Advisory Service) has been a registered charity since 1968, and is the UK’s leading not-for-profit sexual healthcare provider. BPAS carried out 55,000 terminations of pregnancy last year. 85% per cent of all treatments carried out by BPAS were on behalf of the NHS. Please see www.bpas.org for further information.

Despite millions of safe, legal abortions happening each year worldwide, there is no conclusive evidence that abortion will cause psychological problems for women. It is possible that Ann Winterton MP may intend to cite a study to support her view entitled ‘Abortion in young women and subsequent mental health’, by Fergusson DM, Horwood LJ, Ridder EM (Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 2006 Jan; 47(1): 16-24).

This study of young women aged 15 to 25 from a particular area of New Zealand concluded that, ‘[Our] findings suggest that abortion in young women may be associated with increased risks of mental health problems.’ It then stated: ‘It is clear the decision to seek (or not seek) an abortion following pregnancy is likely to involve a complex process’, and consequently ‘it could be proposed that our results reflect the effects of unwanted pregnancy on mental health, rather than the effects of abortion per se on mental health’. The authors conclude that ‘the issue of whether or not abortion has harmful effects on mental health remains to be fully resolved’, and call for more research into the area.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG)’s notes for patients state: ‘How you react [emotionally] will depend on the circumstances of your abortion, the reasons for having it and on how comfortable you feel about your decision. You may feel relieved or sad, or a mixture of both. Some studies suggest that women who have had an abortion may be more likely to have psychiatric illness or to self-harm than other women who give birth or are of a similar age. However, there is no evidence that these problems are actually caused by the abortion; they are often a continuation of problems a woman has experienced before.’

The RCOG’s professional guidance on psychological sequelae states:

‘some studies suggest that rates of psychiatric illness or self-harm are higher among women who have had an abortion compared with women who give birth and to non-pregnant women of similar age. It must be borne in mind that these findings do not imply a causal association and may reflect continuation of pre-existing conditions.’ (The Care of Women Requesting Induced Abortion, Evidence-based Clinical Guideline Number 7, RCOG September 2004.)

Doctors agree that where safe, legal abortion is not available, women’s lives are at risk. Worldwide 68,000 women die each year after unsafe abortion, according to the World Health Organisation. Many thousands of others are left with severe long-term health problems as a consequence. Having an abortion poses fewer medical risks than going through pregnancy and birth for most women. See the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ (RCOG) website for more details.

Press statement 14 December 2006

Women urged to keep emergency contraceptive pill at home ‘just in case’

The sexual healthcare charity bpas is today urging women to keep the emergency contraceptive pill (‘morning after’ pill) ready at home, in case they risk pregnancy. The pill can prevent pregnancy if taken up to 72 hours after sex, but it can be up to 50% more effective if taken within the first 12 hours after sex. After this time, effectiveness reduces.

However, the emergency contraceptive pill is rarely available to women in advance. Many struggle to access it within the crucial 72-hour timeframe- especially at weekends or during public holidays.

Emergency contraceptive pills are already available free on prescription from doctors and family planning clinics and on sale from pharmacies. But bpas says it can be difficult for women to get a doctors’ appointment in time and many family planning clinics have restricted opening hours.

Pharmacists are only permitted to sell the pill to women who have already risked pregnancy. The retail cost of emergency contraceptive pills can also be prohibitive for poorer women, at around £26.

Women can now make appointments or simply drop-in to any of 17 bpas clinics up and down the country, where nurses have been specially trained to supply emergency contraception in advance. bpas will offer advance emergency contraception to all its sexual healthcare clients. Because bpas is a charity providing not-for-profit sexual healthcare, its doctors and nurses will be able to prescribe the pill for just £10.

Ann Furedi, Chief Executive of bpas said today:

‘Sometimes contraception fails, and sometimes we fail to use it effectively. In the real world, accidents happen. Emergency contraceptive pills give us a second chance to avoid a problem pregnancy. It makes sense to keep it in the bathroom cabinet, along with your plasters and paracetamol. You don’t wait until you have a headache before buying aspirin, and it makes no sense to wait until you have unprotected sex before you get emergency contraception.’

Advance prescribing of the emergency contraceptive pill has the support of the Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care (FFPRHC) of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). Dr Kate Guthrie, Consultant Gynaecologist and Consultant in Sexual and Reproductive Health said today:

‘The Faculty’s view is that we need to improve access to emergency contraception and advance prescribing. This is set in the context of the need to improve access to all methods of contraception.’

NOTES for EDITORS

For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact Laura Riley in the BPAS press office on 020 7612 0206 or 07788 725 185.

bpas (formerly known as the British Pregnancy Advisory Service) has been a registered charity since 1968, and is the UK’s leading not-for-profit sexual healthcare provider. 85% of bpas’ services are carried out under contract to the NHS and are free of charge to the client. Please see www.bpas.org for further information.

Women seeking the emergency contraceptive pill, either in advance or in case of immediate need, can drop-in or call 08457 30 40 30 to make an appointment at any of 17 clinics. Clinics are in Birmingham (Central and suburban), Bournemouth, Brighton, Coventry, Doncaster, Leamington Spa, Leeds, Liverpool, London (Central, North, West and South), Peterborough, Stafford, Swindon and Torquay.

According to the Family Planning Association (fpa), of the pregnancies that could be expected to have occurred if no emergency contraception had been used, the emergency pill will prevent: up to 95% if taken within 24 hours, up to 85% if taken between 25-48 hours, and up to 58% if taken between 49-72 hours. The fpa also supports advance prescribing. For further comment, please contact their press office on 020 7608 5265/5254.

Emergency contraceptive pills can prevent pregnancy, but do not cause an abortion if the woman is already pregnant.

The emergency contraceptive pill is for emergency use only. It is not an alternative to regular forms of contraception. According to the World Health Organisation, this is ‘because of the higher possibility of failure compared to modern contraceptives. In addition, frequent use of emergency contraception would results in more side-effects, such as menstrual irregularities. However, their repeated use poses no known health risks.’ Barrier contraceptive methods (such as condoms) are important to use, to protect against sexually-transmitted infections.

No method of contraception is 100% effective at preventing pregnancy. Typical ‘real life’ use of regular contraceptives has also been found to result in greater failure rates than ‘perfect use’ (eg strictly according to manufacturers’ instructions). American researchers recently found the ‘typical use’ failure rate of the condom to be 15%, compared to a 2% failure rate with ‘perfect use’. The same study states that half (49%) of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended: there were 3.1 million in 2001, the last year for which data is available. One of every two women aged 15-44 in the United States has experienced at least one unintended pregnancy. (From ‘Reducing Unintended Pregnancy in the United States’, in press, by James Trussell, Professor of Economics and Public Affairs and Director, Office of Population Research, Princeton University, New Jersey.) For more information on this work, please contact the bpas press office.

Press statement 15 November 2006

‘Ethical comment on the care of preterm babies is welcome- but it does not shed any new light on abortion’

Ann Furedi, Chief Executive of bpas, said today:

‘This report is welcome in giving clear ethical guidance for doctors working with extremely premature infants for whom life outcomes are highly unpredictable.

‘However, the report made no comment on the ethics of therapeutic abortion, and it should not be read as doing so. Therapeutic abortion is only permitted up to 24 weeks’ gestation, if two doctors‘ medical opinion is that ending the pregnancy is necessary in the interests of the individual woman’s physical or mental health.

‘Nuffield’s ethicists have not conducted new research on fetal viability for this report, but are basing their comments on previously published evidence. Although we should always take note of what ethicists have to say in these areas, the report does not offer any new evidence about any medical advances which might affect abortion.’

NOTES for EDITORS

For more information, to arrange an interview, or to request a tour around our central London clinic, please contact the bpas press office on 020 7612 0206 or 07788 725 185.

bpas, (formerly known as the British Pregnancy Advisory Service) a registered charity since 1968, is the UK’s leading sexual healthcare charity, also specialising in abortion care. BPAS carried out almost 50,000 terminations of pregnancy last year. 85% per cent of all treatments carried out by bpas on behalf of the NHS.

bpas’s specialist surgeon provides 2/3rds of the abortions that take place between 20 and up to 24 weeks’ gestation. All the charity’s services are conducted on a not-for-profit basis. Please see www.bpas.org for further information.

Later abortion is relatively rare. Across all the statutory grounds for abortion in 2005, 700 abortions took place at 21 weeks’ gestation, 539 abortions at 22 weeks’ and 336 at 23 weeks’. Please see table 5, 2005 Abortion statistics for England and Wales, from the Office of National Statistics and Department of Health.

The small numbers of women who present to BPAS for abortion after 20 weeks up to 24 weeks, are highly vulnerable. These patients are typically very young girls who have been too frightened to tell anyone about their pregnancy or seek help, or women who did not know they were pregnant because of a medical condition masking the symptoms of pregnancy, such as the menopause. Others experience a catastrophic family event during a wanted pregnancy. This may be the critical illness of an existing child who’ll need the woman’s dedicated long-term care, sudden desertion of the pregnant woman by their husband or partner, or continued domestic violence.

Doctors agree that where safe, legal abortion is not available, women’s lives are at risk. Worldwide 68,000 women die each year after unsafe abortion, according to the World Health Organisation. Many thousands of others are left with severe long-term health problems as a consequence.

Press statement 11 November 2006

‘Condoms less effective at protecting against pregnancy’ say bpas doctors

Ann Furedi, Chief Executive of bpas, said today:

‘At bpas, we always supply condoms to all our clients, because everyone at risk of sexually transmitted infections should use them. The new campaign is great, from that perspective. However, we know from a large body of medical research that condoms are not the best method for protecting against pregnancy.

‘Historically, whenever there has been a shift away from hormonal contraception like the pill, towards barrier methods like condoms, rates of unplanned pregnancy have risen as a result. Obviously, this rise is likely to have a knock-on effect on the need for abortion. Women need to be aware of this.

‘The safest thing for couples to use is a barrier method and a hormonal method at the same time- and we know some do. But in the real world, the vast majority don’t. So we should take on the condom message, but bear in mind that even when used precisely according to manufacturer’s instructions, the failure rate of condoms is 2%. In some American studies, the condom failure rate is as high as 15%. Ready access to the morning-after pill can be a crucial back-up, where couples know a condom has not been used correctly, or it failed.’

NOTES for EDITORS

For more information, to arrange an interview, or to request a tour around our central London clinic, please contact the bpas press office on 020 7612 0206 or 07788 725 185.

bpas, (formerly known as the British Pregnancy Advisory Service) a registered charity since 1968, is the UK’s leading sexual healthcare charity also specialising in abortion care. bpas carried out almost 50,000 terminations of pregnancy last year. 85% per cent of all treatments carried out by bpas are under contract to the NHS. All the charity’s services are run on a not-for-profit basis. Please see www.bpas.org for further information.

Additional resources

Effectiveness of condoms at 2% failure rate fpa

Effectiveness of condoms at 15% failure rate Guttmacher Institute

(According to the latter analysis, when contraceptive methods are ranked by effectiveness over the first 12 months of use, the implant and injectables have the lowest failure rates (2-4%), followed by the pill (9%), the diaphragm and the cervical cap (13%), the male condom (15%), periodic abstinence (22%), withdrawal (26%), with spermicides (28%) having the highest failure rate).

For more information on the government’s new sexual health promotion campaign, please call the Department of Health press office on 020 7210 5623.

Press statement 15 September 2006

‘Advance supplies of Emergency Contraceptive pill crucial in preventing unwanted pregnancy’, say bpas doctors

The forthcoming BMJ editorial by Professor Anna Glasier, a highly-respected sexual health practitioner, is to be welcomed in its questioning of the link between taking the emergency contraceptive pill and the abortion rate, according to bpas, Britain’s leading abortion provider.

Ann Furedi, Chief Executive of bpas, said today:

‘Everyone deserves a second chance to prevent an unintended pregnancy. If taken in time, the emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) prevents around 75% of pregnancies that would otherwise have occurred. It is a safe option, and crucially, is maximally effective in the first 12 hours after contraceptive failure or unprotected sex. Because of the time-sensitivity, access to this treatment needs to be fast. However, women may struggle to get a GP or clinic appointment in time, or to get to a pharmacy to buy it over the counter.

‘That’s why bpas have pioneered prescribing this treatment in advance, allowing our doctors give this to women to keep at home in case of emergency. This also allows doctors to discuss with the woman the most effective time within which to take the pill.

‘Studies show that women need more awareness about exactly when they should take ECP in order for it to stand the most chance of working. More must be done to help women understand what puts them at risk of pregnancy, how to use regular contraception effectively to reduce the risk- and what to do if that fails. We would welcome more research into this area.’

NOTES for EDITORS

bpas, (formerly known as the British Pregnancy Advisory Service) a registered charity since 1968, provides contraception and a range of sexual healthcare services and is also the UK’s leading specialist abortion provider. bpas carried out almost 50,000 abortions last year. More than 80% per cent of all the sexual healthcare caseload carried out by bpas is under contract to the NHS. All the charity’s services are on a not-for-profit basis. Please see www.bpas.org for further information.

The emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) method works by preventing fertilisation of an egg or preventing implantation of a fertilised egg into the lining of the womb. It is not the same as an abortion. If the woman is already pregnant, taking the emergency contraceptive pill is ineffective.

For more information, to arrange an interview, or to request a tour around our central London clinic, please contact the bpas press office on 020 7612 0206 or 07788 725 185.

Press statement 21 June 2006

‘Women in difficult circumstances need support, not condemnation’

bpas (formerly known as the British Pregnancy Advisory Service) is Britain’s largest specialist provider of abortion services. This registered charity provides around 50,000 abortions each year, 77% which caseload is undertaken on behalf of the NHS.

Ann Furedi, Chief Executive of bpas, said today:

‘We know that the views of the Archbishop of Westminster are not representative of the UK public at large, the majority of which supports access to safe, legal abortion- or indeed, of the many Catholics that make a private choice to regulate their own fertility.’

‘We see a small number of women coming forward for termination of pregnancy between 20-24 weeks’ gestation. This group is particularly vulnerable. These are very young girls who have been simply too frightened to tell their parents about their pregnancy, or women undergoing the menopause, which can mask the symptoms of pregnancy; or women who have experienced a catastrophic family event during a wanted pregnancy. These devastating changes in circumstances typically involve the serious illness of an existing child who will need long term care, or sudden desertion by their husband or partner.

‘These women have made an incredibly hard decision to end their pregnancy and they need support, not condemnation. It can never be in the best interests of girls and women to force childbearing upon them.’

ENDS

NOTES for EDITORS

bpas, (formerly known as the British Pregnancy Advisory Service) a registered charity since 1968, is the UK’s leading specialist abortion provider. bpas carried out almost 50,000 abortions last year. 77% per cent of treatment carried out by bpas is under contract to the NHS. All the charity’s abortion and contraceptive services are on a not-for-profit basis. Please see www.bpas.org for further information.

To arrange an interview, or to request a tour around our central London clinic, please contact the press office on 020 7612 0206 or 07788 725 185.

Press statement 29 May 2006

‘Abortion pill allows faster, earlier abortions’ say bpas doctors

Increased use of early medical abortion (‘the abortion pill’ has made ending an unwanted pregnancy easier and safer, because women can be treated more quickly and conveniently, according to bpas, Britain’s leading abortion provider.

At a medical conference in London tomorrow, bpas Chief Executive, Ann Furedi, will tell doctors, nurses and policymakers that bpas is now the largest single provider of the abortion pill in Europe and the method has played a crucial role in lowering the gestation at which abortion can be provided. Although less risky than carrying a pregnancy to full term, abortion is safer and more straightforward when performed earlier.

In 2005, the number of women that bpas treated in the first 9 weeks of pregnancy rose from 56% to 65% of the charity’s total caseload. Early medical abortion accounted for about 10,000 procedures. Bpas has pioneered a network of new, specially licensed local clinics to improve access to early medical abortion with consultation and counselling.

Women say they appreciate the option of this less invasive, nurse-led method, avoiding the need for surgery and anaesthesia and bypassing sometimes lengthy NHS waiting lists. The abortion pill is only licensed for use up to 9 weeks of pregnancy.

Women have been able to take advantage of early medical abortion because improvements in NHS funding means that waiting lists for treatment are shorter. A recent one-off Government cash investment of £1,004,000 to selected NHS Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) to improve early access to abortion has swept away the obstacles in many areas where previously, poor funding had been found to result in local ‘rationing’ by waiting lists and administrative delays in abortion referral.

Ann Furedi, Chief Executive of bpas, will tell the conference:

‘Women’s demand for the early medical abortion (EMA) service is at an all time high. We’re glad that it has been recognised that the best option for women needing abortion is earlier access.’

‘This trend is a success for bpas and for the Government’s Sexual Health strategy. By linking up with PCTs, women get specialist care from bpas and the NHS delivers cost-effective, high quality treatment. 77% of all bpas treatments are now conducted on behalf of the NHS.

‘In the last year, bpas provided about 10,000 women with early medical abortions (EMA) making us the largest single provider of EMA in Europe. Although there will always be a need for later abortions up to the legal limit, the earlier a woman can be treated once she’s made her decision, the better it is for her.’

ENDS

NOTES for EDITORS

bpas, (formerly known as the British Pregnancy Advisory Service) a registered charity since 1968, is the UK’s leading specialist abortion provider. bpas carried out almost 50,000 abortions last year. 77% per cent of treatment carried out by bpas is under contract to the NHS. All the charity’s abortion and contraceptive services are on a not-for-profit basis. Please see www.bpas.org for further information.

To arrange an interview, or to request a tour around our central London clinic, please contact the press office on 020 7612 0206 or 07788 725 185.

The EMA method works by blocking the pregnancy hormones and causing the uterus to contract. The experience is similar to a natural miscarriage. Doctors initially determine that the woman is clinically suitable for the EMA method and prescribe the medication, aside from which nurses deal with all other aspects of her care.

For details of the NHS funding to increase access to early abortion services please see: Resource and cash limit adjustment in respect of improvements in early access to abortion services 2005/06, published 29 Sept 2005.

The Healthcare Commission monitors performance indicators on access to abortion services at nine weeks gestation or earlier, so as to support early access to abortion and the achievement of the standard set in the Government’s Sexual Health strategy of a three weeks maximum waiting time for an abortion.

Press statement, Monday 8 May 2006

Time for a new deal for women facing unplanned pregnancy

A ground-breaking pilot information and awareness campaign linked to a new faster abortion service referral scheme is being launched on Monday 8th May, by Britain’s largest specialist abortion provider, bpas.

The London-wide text message, website, poster, leaflet and postcard campaign ‘Unplanned Pregnancy: Your choices’ is aimed at women faced with an unplanned pregnancy. It gives impartial and practical advice on continuing the pregnancy, as well as on seeking abortion. The campaign seeks to raise women’s awareness that time is of the essence when deciding about pregnancy or abortion care. Abortion is safer and more straightforward when performed earlier in pregnancy.

For the first time, information can be made discreetly available directly to the pregnant woman by a simple text message to her mobile phone. A confidential phone number for advice and even the location of her nearest abortion clinic can be given in this way.

bpas will also be distributing small, subtly unbranded ‘business’ cards to be kept in purses or handbags with helpline contact details aimed at any London woman who is sexually active, to be kept for future reference. 

In addition to this, the new abortion service referral scheme from bpas will cut unnecessary waiting time by allowing women to refer themselves directly to see their local abortion professional via a priority booking number. This will allow them to get specialist help as quickly as possible, rather than waiting for their family doctor to refer them on.

Ann Furedi, Chief Executive of bpas said today:

‘We are trialling new means of discreet information-giving because no woman anticipates needing an abortion- but vital information and help is not always easily or promptly available to her. Yet in other areas of healthcare or important domestic matters, most of us wouldn’t think twice about keeping a number handy in case we needed to call a specialist in an emergency.

‘bpas is piloting this new information service because we see around 50,000 women a year for abortion treatment and we know from them that a new system of balanced information provision about their options is vital. Whatever the woman’s decision will be, she needs access to information and sympathetic, practical help quickly.

‘There may be good reasons why a woman does not want to contact her family doctor to discuss her unplanned pregnancy or to ask about abortion. Sometimes the GP appointments system can not give women access to specialist services promptly enough. Women need this new service because appropriate treatment advice must be made available as soon as it is requested.’
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Notes to editors

bpas, a registered charity since 1968, is the UK’s leading specialist abortion provider and carried out almost 50,000 abortions last year. Almost 80 per cent of treatment carried out by bpas is under contract to the NHS. www.bpas.org

For further information, to arrange an interview, or to request a tour around our central London clinic, please contact Laura Riley on 020 7612 0206 or 07788 725 185.

London GP surgeries and family planning centres and clubs and bars around London will carry informative ‘Unplanned
Pregnancy: Your choices’ campaign materials from 8 May. bpas will be raising awareness among commuters at Liverpool Street tube station with a track-side poster campaign launching on 8 May.

The new priority bookings number is 0845 365 4545

The new website is at http://www.pregnancychoice.co.uk

To access the discreet text message information service text ‘CHOICE’ to 60300

Press statement: 23 January 2006

Court says confidentiality for teenagers seeking abortion must remain

Today (23 January 2006), the High Court says the Department of Health guidance allowing confidential advice for under-16s seeking abortions and contraception is in line with the law.

Ann Furedi, Chief Executive of bpas says:
“We welcome the results from the court reiterating that young people have the right to confidentiality when seeking abortion or contraception.

“In our experience, young girls almost always involve their parents or another close adult when they have an unwanted pregnancy.

“Doctors and counsellors already work hard to persuade young people to involve their parents - because obviously it’s better for young people to have parental support. They don’t need more laws and regulations to compel them to do this, and sometimes there are circumstances where involving parents isn’t the best thing.”

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Notes to editors

bpas, a registered charity since 1968, is the UK’s leading specialist abortion provider and carried out almost 50,000 abortions last year. Almost 80 per cent of treatment carried out by bpas is under contract to the NHS.

For further information contact the press office on 020 7612 0206 or 07788 725 185

www.bpas.org