Department of Health signals it has no plans to follow England's lead on 'lunch hour abortions'

The department was asked its position following criticism of the English policy from MPs this week.

It all stems from the Renewed Women’s Health Strategy for England, published by the London-based Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Among the things that the strategy recommends is that abortion arrangements “should not discourage the delivery of consultations, scans, and procedures on the same day”.

The charity Right to Life says that right now, generally speaking, the consultation, scan, and abortion procedure take place as separate appointments, and this “encourages abortion providers not to rush the process in one day, and also gives women more time to consider their decision”.

It also says the government is moving towards abortion providers getting a single payment for all three activities instead of billing for each activity separately, making it more likely that “lunch hour abortions” will take place.

Stormont’s own Department of Health was asked if it plans to follow England on this “same day” model.

It indicated that appointments in Northern Ireland are separate and there no plans to change that.

"When a woman or girl has been referred by the British Pregnancy Advisory Services (BPAS) – the central access point [for obtaining an abortion] – to the appropriate health and social care trust, the trust will then contact the woman,” it said.

"A triage consultation appointment is then arranged.

"Following the triage consultation appointment, a date will be offered to attend the abortion clinic for the abortion treatment consultation appointment.

"This process is undertaken in such a way that the woman has time to think through her decision, with impartial advice being provided throughout her journey.

"There are presently no plans to change this.”

Reacting to the renewed emphasis on “same day” abortions in England, Right to Life quoted Labour MP Mary Glindon as saying the government should not be trying to “fast-track the abortion process,” adding: “Both pro-life and pro-choice advocates ought to be able to agree that women need adequate time to make such a momentous decision.”

And it quoted Tory MP Sir Edward Leigh saying: “The government seems intent on ever more extreme laws regarding life and death issues.

"Having just waved through abortion up to birth proposals tabled by one of its own MPs with minimal scrutiny and against the will of the public, it beggars belief that abortion providers may now be allowed to benefit financially from rushing women into abortions.

"Are abortion providers now writing government abortion policy?”

The DHSC had offered no response to their criticism at time of writing.

During 2024/25 there were 2,899 abortions carried out in Northern Ireland.

Of these about 5.5% are carried out between 10 and 12 weeks, and another 5.5% are carried out after 12 weeks.

Across the whole UK, there are roughly 300,000 abortions per year.