MSI UK’s Dr Yvonne Neubauer featured in the BMJ

In a new piece for the British Medical Journal, Dr Yvonne Neubauer – Deputy Medical Director at MSI Reproductive Choices UK – shared insights on her pioneering surgical abortion training programme.
 
In 2021, a survey by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecology (RCOG) found that there were only 17 abortion surgeons in England, with none in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Over half of these were over 55 years old and would soon be nearing retirement.  

Aware this was creating a ticking time bomb for abortion access, Dr Neubauer decided to take action and offer surgical abortion training to NHS doctors and trainees.

“The MSI UK surgical abortion training programme has had a significant impact on national abortion care provision.“

Over the last few years, Dr Neubauer has been training NHS doctors free of charge to those interested in expanding the abortion care they can offer in their local area. By training a Consultant Obstetrician based in Bristol, Dr Neubauer has supported in setting up a new unit for second and third trimester complex abortion care in Bristol – the first new NHS service to be established in several decades. As a result, people in the South West who need to access surgical abortion treatment at a hospital no longer have to travel to London for care.

Since the training programme was established, 15 doctors have achieved competencies – and demand for training is growing.
 
In 2024, Yvonne’s leadership was recognised with the Excellence in Education and Training Award for the South West at the 2024 NHS Parliamentary Awards.  
 
We’re immensely privileged to work beside Dr Yvonne. Her work has had an undeniable impact on protecting abortion access in the UK, and on sustainability within the sector.

Read more about MSI UK’s surgical abortion training