Media statement
London, 25th September 2020 – If you are covering news that today the Court of Appeal has dismissed a legal challenge over Government changes to abortion rules made during the coronavirus pandemic, you may find the following statement from Marie Stopes UK helpful.
MSI UK’s Medical Director Jonathan Lord said:
“We’re extremely pleased that the Court of Appeal has dismissed this challenge in favour of the thousands of women who want and need to access early medical abortion care at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Home use of safe and effective abortion medication has reduced waiting times, meaning women can complete their abortion at an earlier stage of their pregnancy. We have seen even lower complication rates in what was already a very safe and effective treatment. Home use is especially important to those in vulnerable groups or who may face coercion from abusive partners to continue an unwanted pregnancy, and for them the whole telemedicine programme has been revolutionary.
“It’s disappointing that radical anti-choice groups still try to impose their minority and restrictive views on women who are making choices about their own bodies, especially when at the same time we need to maintain COVID-19 social distancing rules for the safety of our patients and staff.
“We hope the government will act on the evidence emerging from our experience of home use and ensure that women continue to have timely access to safe abortion both during the pandemic and beyond.”
