Access To Abortion

EDM number 1649 in 2006-07, proposed by Laura Moffatt on 07/06/2007.

That this House supports a woman's right to access safe abortion within the law, whilst acknowledging that this is a distressing time for her, her partner and any other friends or family involved; believes that non-directional and voluntary counselling should continue to be available at the earliest opportunity before and continue to be available after any procedure; further believes that clinicians providing abortion services should possess accurate and impartial information about possible complications and sequelae to provide women with all the information required in order to give valid and informed consent; notes that the earlier in the pregnancy an abortion is performed, the lower the risk of complications; recognises that delaying the procedure not only leads to higher risk with procedures but also increases psychological distress for all involved; agrees with the Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Healthcare that a mandatory cooling off period will put an end to individualised care and lead to later, therefore less safe procedures and also effectively reduce the upper time limit; acknowledges that abortion does not lead to an excess of psychological ill-health where there is no pre-existing mental health problem; and stresses that the best way to reduce the numbers of unintended pregnancies is to improve women's knowledge of and access to contraception, as well as educating women, and men, about safe and healthy sex.

This motion has been signed by a total of 55 MPs.