In 2026, MSI marks it’s 50th anniversary of providing vital reproductive healthcare services. To mark the occasion, we’ve been interviewing long-serving colleagues to hear about their experiences working here.
In this interview, we sat down to speak with Stephanie Hanson, Operations Service Manager at the West London (Ealing) clinic, who has worked at MSI for ten years in several different roles.
“If you need us, we’re here. We’re not going anywhere.”
When did you start working for MSI?
It’ll be ten years in August! I started out in a front of house role at the West London Centre and have stayed here.
I’ve always worked in healthcare – I like the fast-paced nature, where every day is a little bit different. I wanted to work in a field where I could really learn and become an advocate for the people that need to access reproductive healthcare services.
“People forget that abortion clinics exist on regular streets.”
Growing up, I went to an all-girls school. I knew that girls had abortions, but if you had asked me where a friend went to have an abortion, I would have had no idea. I think people forget that abortion clinics exist on regular streets. I had no idea about any of it, and I was excited to learn.
How has your role changed in the last ten years?
I’ve been front of house, a team leader, and now Operations Service Manager. I’ve been in this role for about three years now. I’ve become a lot more hands-on with the day-to-day leadership of the centre in this role – it’s integral to the running of the clinic.
Most of the day, my role is to be here to support, lend a hand, be available if anyone needs anything.
Do you have a favourite part of your role?
Yes. It’s seeing the relief on people’s faces. When clients come in, there is this expectation that an abortion clinic is going to be a sad place, and there is never any laughter, joy, or relief. In reality, we get feedback that people have left with smiles on their faces because we have provided them with a service they desperately needed. We normalise and destigmatise what abortion care is.
“I hope that clients can leave our clinics feeling a sense of peace.”
I think the lack of judgement and a sense of normality can be what clients really want. It makes me so happy to help people in this way, because that’s one more person that we’ve been able to help. Hopefully, they no longer carry the burden, and they feel justified in making the decision that they have. I hope that people can leave the clinic feeling a sense of peace and that they have done the right thing for themselves.
It’s also been quite cool occasionally communicating with clients in my other language, Portuguese, when this is their native language. It helps to make people feel more at home.
What makes you proud of the work that you do?
I’m very, very proud of the work that MSI does. When someone asks, I will straight-up say that I work in abortion care, whoever I’m speaking to. If they want to talk about it, then we do. I am aware there is still that stigma there, but I think I can tackle that in some small way by openly and honestly sharing where I work and what services we offer.
“If you need us, we’re here. We’re not going anywhere.”
I’m always open to conversation. People tend to carry around stereotypes about abortion – for example, that it is a service only accessed by teenagers, which is false – the most recent abortion statistics (2023) show that the abortion rate is highest for women aged between 20-24, closely followed by those aged 25-29.
People are entitled to their opinions if they don’t like what I do, and the service I work for, but I believe our services are essential. It shouldn’t even be a debate, in my eyes. You would never second guess someone going to the dentist, or getting their eyes tested – it’s just part of being.
If you need us, we’re here. And that’s what we’ll continue to do. We’re not going anywhere.
What changes have you seen in the past 10 years of working at MSI?
I’ve seen us start providing telemedicine (also known as abortion pills at home) which was game-changing in helping people access care. For example, if you want a medical abortion, but you live four hours from the nearest clinic, or you have children, but no childcare, you might be able to access care in the comfort of your own home.
We always continue to develop our services based on how best we can support the client, how we can make their access to services just a little bit easier.
Do any experiences over the past ten years stick out to you?
Three or four years ago, a lady came in who had become pregnant after doing IVF. Her husband had suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. She was having an abortion because she was completely alone in the country, with no emotional support. She knew that having a child at this time, alone, was too much for her.
I remember being able to comfort her and validate her choice. I couldn’t speak on the rest of her life, but I could be there to support her in that moment and let her know that it was okay to do whatever she decided was best for her.
To let her know that she was entitled to her own choice, let her speak that aloud, and just listen, made her feel so much better. We do this for every single client, every day.
Is there anyone that you’d like to highlight as being supportive throughout your time at MSI?
“Our shared goal is always to help the client.”
Our whole clinic team, including the whole of management and the advanced team, as well as my manager, Sally, are great. We have great relationships, and we work so well together. We advocate, support and help each other when we need it. Our shared goal is always to help the client. I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else – the West London clinic feels like home.
The ten years have gone by so quickly! At the same time, it feels like I’ve never worked anywhere else – but not in a boring way. I am still learning, still advocating, and still fighting for what I believe in. Let’s see what the future holds!
Read more from our colleagues
At MSI UK, we love interviewing our colleagues to find out more about their work and how their roles contribute to our mission to deliver quality reproductive healthcare. You can read some of our latest interviews here.
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