All Campaigns subcategories:
Socialism keywords:
Working-class
Highlight keywords |
Print this article
Tory consultation on home-use abortion pills
Continued access is vital for working-class women
Fighting for abortion rights, photo Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)
Nina Brown, Leeds Socialist Party
One in three women will have an abortion before the age of 45. The abortion pill is a safe and uncomplicated medical procedure carried out in the first ten weeks of pregnancy.
Before the pandemic, obtaining it required travelling to a clinic, taking a pill there, then having to travel home again (often while still bleeding).
During the pandemic, to minimise face-to-face appointments, clinics have been allowed to offer telephone consultation and home-use abortion pills, which over 50% of service users have chosen.
The average waiting time for an abortion has halved since home-use was allowed, and major complications have dropped by two thirds.
Waiting lists
A study by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence study found that every extra day on the abortion waiting list costs the NHS £1.6 million, as quicker and earlier access means less complications.
Despite this, the government has launched a consultation about whether to revert to face-to-face only appointments.
For some, having an appointment in person may be preferable. But taking away the home-use option would disproportionately affect working-class women.
Kerry Abel, chair of Abortion Rights, said: "More than 50% of women who have an abortion already have at least one child, so childcare is not an inconsequential factor. Travel is expensive, taking days off work is expensive, getting childcare is expensive."
Employment opportunities and conditions are scarily unstable, and taking time off for an appointment frequently means lost pay, and could mean losing out on future work.
The option of tele-medical abortion improves access for people who may be unable to leave home easily, for reasons such as travel restrictions, domestic abuse, disability and caring duties.
"If there is a decision to stop it [tele-medical abortion care] it is not for any scientific reasons. It will be wholly for political reasons", Dr Lord, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, commented.
The Abortion Act has faced anti-choice attacks from controlling, puritanical capitalist politicians since it was put in place in 1967. It has been kept free and legal, in part by trade union pressure.
We in the Socialist Party know that no part of our NHS is safe in Tory hands.
It should be the right of all women to decide when or whether to have children. On the one hand, this means access to contraception, abortion, fertility services and sex education. On the other, it means ensuring that the resources are available for childcare, local services, decent housing and a guaranteed income that can enable children to be brought up free from poverty.
We say:
- The abortion pill must continue to be available for home use as has been the case during the Covid pandemic
- No more cuts and closures of contraceptive services. Full access to free, safe contraception
- Nationalise big Pharma and fund research into safer, more effective contraception
- Free abortion on demand
- Access to free fertility treatment on the NHS for all who need it
- Increase research into the prevention of infertility
- Inclusive, quality health, relationship and sex education in schools
- The consultation is due to end on 26 February. Details can be found by searching 'abortion pills' at gov.uk.
Donate to the Socialist Party
Finance appeal
The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
LATEST POSTS
12 May Stop Israeli state brutality
 |
9 May Post-election meetings
15 May Birmingham Socialist Party: How can we fight for socialist change and a new workers' party?
17 May Oxfordshire & Aylesbury Socialist Party: The role of the state
18 May Bristol North Socialist Party: Liverpool - history of socialist struggle
CONTACT US
Phone our national office on 020 8988 8777
Email: [email protected]
Locate your nearest Socialist Party branch Text your name and postcode to 07761 818 206
Regional Socialist Party organisers:
Eastern: 079 8202 1969
East Mids: 077 3797 8057
London: 075 4018 9052
North East: 078 4114 4890
North West 079 5437 6096
South West: 077 5979 6478
Southern: 078 3368 1910
Wales: 079 3539 1947
West Mids: 024 7655 5620
Yorkshire: 078 0983 9793
ABOUT US
ARCHIVE
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999