MSI Reproductive Choices UK (MSI UK) has been awarded Team of the Year at the Nursing Times Awards for its innovation during the pandemic.
London, Monday, 23 November 2020
As countries across the globe have grappled with the COVID-19 crisis, this prestigious award recognises the passion, professionalism, care and agility of the entire MSI UK team in delivering a telemedicine solution to support many thousands of women seeking early medical abortion throughout the pandemic.
When lockdown was announced in the UK in March this year, MSI UK successfully lobbied government for the introduction of remote early medical abortion services via telemedicine, to ensure continued access to timely, safe and high-quality care during the pandemic. Then within just six days of Government approval of home-use, it transformed its abortion care pathway, enabling eligible women to take both sets of abortion pills in the privacy of their own home, safeguarding access to abortion and saving thousands of women from making unnecessary journeys during the pandemic.
Receiving the award from presenter and journalist Naga Munchetty, MSI Reproductive Choices’ UK Director of Quality and Governance, Nicola Moore said:
“I’d like to thank all team members who made this possible and the Nursing Times for recognising the importance of what we have achieved. This award serves as an acknowledgement of the passion of our team and just how essential our services are to support women and goes a long way in the fight to destigmatise abortion as a whole.”
How telemedicine changed abortion access in the UK
Telemedicine has changed the landscape of abortion access in the UK and early evidence indicates that the approach that MSI UK has adopted delivers very good outcomes and is a viable permanent option for women who choose it, reducing waiting times and meaning that women can complete their abortion at an earlier stage in their pregnancy.
Public consultation will soon be launched to review whether this option should remain permanent and MSI Reproductive Choices has joined forces with other providers and leading experts at the University of Texas to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of this form of treatment.
Richard Bentley, MSI Reproductive Choices’ UK Managing Director said:
“While the option of in-person care should continue to be available for those who need or prefer it, telemedicine for early medical abortion is demonstrably safe, effective, valued, convenient, private and easier for the majority of clients. We will use the data and evidence we have collected to ensure that women continue to have access to this option both during the pandemic and beyond.”
Read more about How to access abortion care during the covid-19 pandemic at this link.
