Abortion Flashcards
discuss the abortion act 1967
• The Abortion Act 1967, as amended by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990,
permits termination of a pregnancy by a registered medical practitioner subject to certain
conditions. Legal requirements apply to the certification and notification of abortion
procedures.
• Within the terms of the Abortion Act, only a registered practitioner can terminate a
pregnancy. The doctor taking responsibility for the procedure is legally required to notify the
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the abortion within 14 days of the termination, whether
carried out in the NHS or an approved independent sector place and whether or not the
woman is a UK resident.
• The Department of Health provides a HSA4 form for this purpose. Further details are available
on the GOV.UK website
• Except in an emergency, any treatment for the termination of pregnancy can only be carried
out in an NHS hospital or an independent clinic approved for the purpose by the Secretary of
State.
• After 24 weeks gestation, the abortion can only be carried out in an NHS hospital.
• Through contractual arrangements with Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), a large
number of approved independent sector places perform NHS-funded abortions.
choices when pregnant
continuing with the pregnancy
fostering or adoption
termination
