Monday 01 June 2020
The Committee for Health & Social Care published proposals in early March to modernise the current legislative framework surrounding abortion.
This followed extensive research in respect of best clinical practice, consultation with the professionals involved in abortion-related care in the Bailiwick and discussions with small groups of islanders.
In developing the proposals, the Committee sought to ensure that the framework protects and promotes the health and safety of women and provides clarity and certainty for the medical profession by providing for safe, well-regulated and equitable abortion services. The full proposals, including supporting information, can be found online at https://gov.gg/abortionlaw but includes:-
- Removing the requirement for two medical practitioners to certify an abortion;
- Increasing Guernsey's gestational limits in line with those in England;
- Removing criminal sanctions relating to a woman in respect of ending, or attempting to end, her own pregnancy;
- Allowing early medical abortion procedures to be completed at the woman's home.
HSC had planned a public event to enable Islanders to express their views on this subject ahead of the States debate. The impact of COVID-19 has meant that they are unable to host the event as planned.
As an alternative, ahead of the Policy Letter's debate, HSC is encouraging all islanders with views on the proposals, or those who wish to ask questions, to get in touch via healthandsocialcare@gov.gg or by writing to The Committee for Health & Social Care, Duchess of Kent House, Le Vauquiedor, St Andrew, GY6 8TW. You can also email States Members - contact details for individuals can be found on this page, as well as a mechanism to message all Deputies at the same time: www.gov.gg/yourdeputies. Please ensure that any correspondence reaches the office by Friday 12 June 2020.
An anonymous summary of this feedback will be published ahead of debate. Your responses will also help to identify the need to provide further information in respect of specific areas of the proposals. HSC will keep under review the continued opportunities to raise awareness of the proposals ahead of debate.
