FSRH Statement on Department of Health’s ‘Abortion statistics, England and Wales 2015’

FSRH voices its concerns over the slight rise in abortion rates, which is likely to reflect an unmet need for contraception and be a direct result of Government cuts to public health funding.

With abortion rates increasing by 0.7% in total over 2015, FSRH argues that this reflects an unmet need for contraception and expresses its concern that this marks the start of a backward trend that is set to continue with the implementation of more funding cuts in 2016. The notable rise in abortions amongst women over 25 has also raised concerns as to the way in which women are informed about their fertility. Overall, FSRH calls upon the Department of Health to to implement the Chief Medical Officer’s recent recommendation to establish a more integrated healthcare delivery system around women’s needs and ensure that the provision of contraceptive information, personalised support in contraceptive choice and immediate provision where clinically appropriate becomes standardised practice in the commissioning of all abortion services.

Read the statement in full below.