Medical Abortion Approved In Scotland Due To Coronavirus Outbreak

Women in Scotland can now have an early-stage pregnancy termination at home during the Coronavirus outbreak, the Scottish Government has affirmed. 

Chief Medical Officer Catherine Calderwood has addressed NHS boards to assist them to implement this as quickly as possible for those patients for whom it is relevant to help reduce the number of women attending clinics and prevent their exposure to the virus.

Early medical abortion, which can be carried out in the 1st 8 weeks of pregnancy includes taking 2 different medicines.

Women in Scotland could previously take the second drug  Misoprostol at home, provided that they had taken the Mifepristone pill in the clinic 24 to 48 hours earlier. However, due to the outbreak, women can now take both the pills at home with the pills delivered to them.

The department of Health in England also said that it was updating its guidance during the current pandemic so women who want an abortion up to 8 weeks can take the abortion pills at home.

A Scottish Government Spokesman said: “The Chief Medical Officer has issued an acceptance to enable the women having an early-stage medical abortion to take both abortion pills at home calling it home abortion during the COVID-19 outbreak.

“This will make sure that patients will have their consultation with a video call or by telephone so that they can follow rules and public health advice to stay at home.

“Following the consultation, if women wish to proceed, and where this is clinically suitable for them, the medicine will be delivered at their home.

“Women will be given good instructions on how and when to take the medication and will be given contact details so that they can call at any time if they have any queries or concerns.

“Some women will still need to be seen in person where there are clinical reasons for this, but this alteration should help reduce the number of women attending clinics during the COVID-19 outbreak.”

The move has been welcomed by Abortion Rights Scotland who said they were “pleased” to see the Scottish Government had issued approval to take both pills at home.

They added: “This is the right and correct judgment and will save thousands of women making unnecessary journeys for routine healthcare.”

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), the UK’s leading abortion care service, also greeted the move, saying they were “delighted” remote provision was available in Scotland.

It added: “This will make a real difference not just to women who are unable to leave their house for medical reasons but to women in rural and remote parts of Scotland who may otherwise have no options.”

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, an anti-abortion group, argued the Scottish Government’s decision to permit women to take Misoprostol at home was unlawful and threatened their health, during a legal challenge last year.

However, they lost their plea, with judges ruling it remains responsible whether the treatment is administered in a home or clinic.