British doctors say cut the time limit for abortions

Oct 17 2007

The majority of doctors in Britain believe the time limit for abortions should be reduced.

At present the current limit for abortions is 24 weeks, but a survey of 1,000 GPs by Marie Stopes International, found 65 per cent thought the current 24-week abortion limit should be cut; of these, 62 per cent said the upper limit should remain within 20 to 23 weeks.

This latest finding is contrary to view of such bodies as the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, who support the current 24-week limit.

Politicians are currently conducting an inquiry into whether the limit should be reviewed amid claims that advances in medical science mean babies born before this cut-off period can and do now survive.

The survey found 80 per cent of doctors described themselves as broadly "pro-choice" when it came to abortion, while 20 per cent were anti-abortion.

The survey also found that 52 per cent were in favour of changing the law to allow women to ask for an abortion within the first 14 weeks of pregnancy without needing the permission of two doctors and 62 per cent agreed with current guidelines allowing under-16s to access abortion without the knowledge or consent of their parents.

Most doctors were found to be in favour of being able to have free abortions on the NHS.

The Marie Stopes organisation says it was surprised that so many doctors supported a reduction in the 24-week limit for abortion because it is known that women who seek a late abortion usually have compelling reasons for doing so.

The organisation says reducing the limit would cause real hardship for some women and do nothing to significantly reduce the numbers of abortions in Britain.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health says the government has no plans to change the law on abortion.

October marks the 40th anniversary of the introduction of the 1967 Abortion Act.

This years British Medical Association conference backed a motion calling for abortions to be approved by just one doctor.