Northern Ireland: Further setbacks in abortion provision show urgent need for Government to set up services

Responding to news that Northern Ireland’s Western Trust has had to further delay restarting its early abortion services due to resourcing issues, Grainne Teggart, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland Deputy Director, said:

“Yet again we’re seeing barriers to abortion services in Northern Ireland. The constant setbacks are unacceptable - this healthcare must be available and accessible to all who need it.

“Despite abortion being decriminalised in Northern Ireland in October 2019, the Government still hasn’t established the commissioned abortion services it said it would. Access to this vital healthcare will remain fragile and patchy until the Government steps up and delivers.

“Abortion is lawful in Northern Ireland - no one should be refused this care. The Northern Ireland Secretary of State must commit to a deadline by which they will ensure services are up and running. Abortion is time-sensitive and those in need of the healthcare can’t afford to wait.”