Keep Welsh Women Safe
Reverse deadly DIY abortion decision in Wales
Reverse deadly DIY abortion decision in Wales
210,860 lives were lost to abortion in England & Wales in 2020. ‘DIY’ home abortions accounted for a significant proportion of these.
Eluned Morgan, Minister for Health and Social Services, announced on 24 February that the temporary arrangements introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic, which enabled women to take both pills for Early Medical Abortion (EMA) up to 9 weeks and 6 days gestation in their own homes, without the need to first attend a hospital or clinic, are being made permanent in Wales. This announcement was made the same day that the Westminster Government decided to scrap the scheme, after 70% of the respondents to a public consultation called for it to end immediately.
During the two years the DIY abortion policy has been in place, an abundance of evidence has come to light showing just how dangerous the policy is.
This evidence includes:
- Freedom of Information requests made to NHS Trusts in England show that 5.9 per cent of women using abortion drugs are subsequently treated in hospital for complications arising from an incomplete abortion.
- Data from NHS Ambulance Services that indicate that on average 36 women every month make 999 calls seeking medical assistance for complications arising from having taken abortion pills.
- A mystery client investigation published by Christian Concern in 2021 also concluded that the policy is impossible to regulate. It found that pills could be obtained using false information since NHS numbers are not required and identity checks were not carried out.
The Welsh Government have not released the results of the public consultation on making this policy permanent. However, in England:
- 70% of all respondents called for the scheme to end immediately
- 69% said the scheme had a negative impact on women's safety
- The majority of respondents (78%) considered that there are benefits in regard to safeguarding in requiring women to make at least one visit to the clinic
Sign this petition now. The Welsh Government must not get away with extending this reckless and deadly policy, with no democratic accountability.
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Petition to: Mark Drakeford - First Minister of Wales and Eluned Morgan, Health Minister
We the undersigned call on the First Minister to reverse the decision to make DIY abortion permanent.
The DIY home abortion scheme has inflicted untold damage to countless mothers and their babies. The Welsh Government may think this decision is ‘progressive’, but what is progressive about leaving women to bleed away their baby at home, with no medical care? It is a return to backstreet abortions.
It is also completely undemocratic. The original policy was introduced as an emergency measure, with no parliamentary scrutiny. Now, without the dubious excuse of a public health emergency, the Department for Health and Social Care has rubber-stamped it, during recess. At the time of the announcement, the Department has not even released the results of the public consultation, which, if they are anything like those in England and Scotland, overwhelmingly oppose making this dangerous and reckless policy permanent.
The Welsh Government should release the consultation results immediately, and reverse this appalling decision which disregards the health and wellbeing of women.”
Petition to: Mark Drakeford - First Minister of Wales and Eluned Morgan, Health Minister
We the undersigned call on the First Minister to reverse the decision to make DIY abortion permanent.
The DIY home abortion scheme has inflicted untold damage to countless mothers and their babies. The Welsh Government may think this decision is ‘progressive’, but what is progressive about leaving women to bleed away their baby at home, with no medical care? It is a return to backstreet abortions.
It is also completely undemocratic. The original policy was introduced as an emergency measure, with no parliamentary scrutiny. Now, without the dubious excuse of a public health emergency, the Department for Health and Social Care has rubber-stamped it, during recess. At the time of the announcement, the Department has not even released the results of the public consultation, which, if they are anything like those in England and Scotland, overwhelmingly oppose making this dangerous and reckless policy permanent.
The Welsh Government should release the consultation results immediately, and reverse this appalling decision which disregards the health and wellbeing of women.”
