Doctors are not allowed to report women to the police for suspected illegal abortions | Letter

I was pleased to see the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RCOG) acting to protect women from unnecessary legal scrutiny (prosecution of abortions is never in the public interest, says Royal College, January 22). I was shocked to hear earlier this year that women were being referred to the police by health professionals, which is a mockery of patient confidentiality. The General Medical Council has strict rules on confidentiality and it is reassuring that the RCOG has reminded doctors of this essential duty to their patients, reiterating that there is no legal obligation to refer patients to the police in Britain (Census Healthcare Workers to not to do this). report on women for suspected illegal abortions has a strong legal basis, January 22).

Although the number of women who decide to take matters into their own hands is small, these women often have difficult circumstances, such as controlling partners or psychological problems. The impact of legal interventions on these women is in some cases severe, preventing contact with existing children. Although people believe someone is innocent until proven guilty, this is not the experience of the majority of women whose experiences have been reported to researchers.

An amendment to the bill is expected to be introduced next month that would decriminalize women who perform their own abortions. Let us hope that MPs will accept this change to the archaic 1861 Offenses Against the Person Act. Please write to your MP now and ask them to support Diana Johnson’s amendment.
Wendy Savage
Chairman, Doctors for Choice Britain; Emeritus Professor, Queen Mary University of London