Northern Ireland (NI) clinic to offer abortion services to all of Ireland

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irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/1010/breaking57.html

Let’s pray that the Irish government shall reject any proposal to legalise abortion, in Ireland…

*The first sexual and reproductive health centre to offer abortion services on the island of Ireland will open in Belfast next Thursday.

Marie Stopes Northern Ireland, based in purpose-built city centre premises on Great Victoria Street, will offer contraceptive options, HIV testing, STI testing and treatment, ultrasound scanning, and medical abortion up to nine weeks gestation.

Anyone over the age of 16 can access the centre, including people from the Republic, and services are available by appointment only. Marie Stopes International, which is a not-for-profit organisation, is the UK’s leading provider of sexual and reproductive healthcare services. It has been established for over 30 years, and works in 42 countries around the world.

The programme director at the new centre is Dawn Purvis, former Stormont Assembly member, and former leader of the Progressive Unionist party.

Speaking to the Irish Times, she said: “This is the first centre of its kind in Northern Ireland, and we believe that it is great news for people living here, because we will be able to offer a fully integrated range of family planning and sexual health services in a way that has never been available before.

"Our team are highly trained and dedicated health care professionals, and our services will be delivered in a sensitive, confidential and non-judgemental way.”

In providing early medical abortions, the Marie Stopes centre will operate under existing laws in Northern Ireland, which are notoriously ambiguous

Ms Purvis said: “The Marie Stopes centre will be offering the same service that is currently available from the NHS in Northern Ireland, only within the current legal framework, when the life of the pregnant woman is at immediate risk and/or if there is a long term, serious or permanent risk to her physical or mental wellbeing.”

Following a consultation with the client, and a scan to confirm the existence of the pregnancy, the length of gestation, and any possible complications, two doctors will assess whether she is eligible for a termination. The cost for an early medical abortion - which is a non-surgical procedure - excluding the consultation fee, is £350.

“We offer a safe place for women and men to find support, be provided with help and counselling, to feel that they are being listened to and not judged. It is a matter of choice, every step of the way,” said Ms Purvis.

“A woman may decide that she does not want to choose a termination. If she does, then offering early medical abortion cuts out the stress of having to travel outside Northern Ireland to access those services.”

Last year, 1007 women from Northern Ireland travelled to England or Wales for an abortion, as did 4149 women from the Republic. “When women are faced with a crisis pregnancy, it’s a time of great personal turmoil. Knowing that someone is here to help them come to a decision reduces the trauma and upset,” said Ms Purvis.

“Essentially, we are here to promote good and healthy sexual relationships. Where that doesn’t work out so well, we can deal with that too.”*
 
Quoting from the article
Last year, 1007 women from Northern Ireland travelled to England or Wales for an abortion, as did 4149 women from the Republic. “When women are faced with a crisis pregnancy, it’s a time of great personal turmoil. Knowing that someone is here to help them come to a decision reduces the trauma and upset,” said Ms Purvis.
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From a purely economic standpoint, I can see why Marie Stopes would want to open a clinic in Northern Ireland. There is unmet demand, so there is money to be made.

Of course, that is a very cynical way of looking at the matter, and I am sure the people of Marie Stopes are more high-minded in their motives. But if the goal is simply to provide counseling for crisis pregnancies, couldn’t they have opened such center before?

I am assuming that travel between Ireland and Northern Ireland is easier than traveling across the water to England or Wales. If so, perhaps the overall number of abortions will increase, since travel will be less of a deterrent.
 
Dale_M said:
Of course, that is a very cynical way of looking at the matter, and I am sure the people of Marie Stopes are more high-minded in their motives. .
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Hmmm I don’t think it’s particularly cynical.

FTA
*Marie Stopes Northern Ireland, based in purpose-built city centre premises…

The cost for an early medical abortion - which is a non-surgical procedure - excluding the consultation fee, is £350.*

Whilst a not for profit org has a secondary goal of making money it would seem they were able to achieve that goal very well as they could afford to fund a custom built facility in the heart of Belfast.

I mean from an ethically bankrupt point of view it’s pure genius. Charge about $500 + consultation fees to have someone halt a normal naturally occurring process. Kind of like charging someone to get old. 🙂
 
pepipop said:
irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/1010/breaking57.html

Let’s pray that the Irish government shall reject any proposal to legalise abortion, in Ireland…

*The first sexual and reproductive health centre to offer abortion services on the island of Ireland will open in Belfast next Thursday.

Marie Stopes Northern Ireland, based in purpose-built city centre premises on Great Victoria Street, will offer contraceptive options, HIV testing, STI testing and treatment, ultrasound scanning, and medical abortion up to nine weeks gestation.

Anyone over the age of 16 can access the centre, including people from the Republic, and services are available by appointment only. Marie Stopes International, which is a not-for-profit organisation, is the UK’s leading provider of sexual and reproductive healthcare services. It has been established for over 30 years, and works in 42 countries around the world.

The programme director at the new centre is Dawn Purvis, former Stormont Assembly member, and former leader of the Progressive Unionist party.

Speaking to the Irish Times, she said: “This is the first centre of its kind in Northern Ireland, and we believe that it is great news for people living here, because we will be able to offer a fully integrated range of family planning and sexual health services in a way that has never been available before.

"Our team are highly trained and dedicated health care professionals, and our services will be delivered in a sensitive, confidential and non-judgemental way.”

In providing early medical abortions, the Marie Stopes centre will operate under existing laws in Northern Ireland, which are notoriously ambiguous

Ms Purvis said: “The Marie Stopes centre will be offering the same service that is currently available from the NHS in Northern Ireland, only within the current legal framework, when the life of the pregnant woman is at immediate risk and/or if there is a long term, serious or permanent risk to her physical or mental wellbeing.”

Following a consultation with the client, and a scan to confirm the existence of the pregnancy, the length of gestation, and any possible complications, two doctors will assess whether she is eligible for a termination. The cost for an early medical abortion - which is a non-surgical procedure - excluding the consultation fee, is £350.

“We offer a safe place for women and men to find support, be provided with help and counselling, to feel that they are being listened to and not judged. It is a matter of choice, every step of the way,” said Ms Purvis.

“A woman may decide that she does not want to choose a termination. If she does, then offering early medical abortion cuts out the stress of having to travel outside Northern Ireland to access those services.”

Last year, 1007 women from Northern Ireland travelled to England or Wales for an abortion, as did 4149 women from the Republic. “When women are faced with a crisis pregnancy, it’s a time of great personal turmoil. Knowing that someone is here to help them come to a decision reduces the trauma and upset,” said Ms Purvis.

“Essentially, we are here to promote good and healthy sexual relationships. Where that doesn’t work out so well, we can deal with that too.”*
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A new target for the CIRA
 
Dale_M said:
Quoting from the article

From a purely economic standpoint, I can see why Marie Stopes would want to open a clinic in Northern Ireland. There is unmet demand, so there is money to be made.

Of course, that is a very cynical way of looking at the matter, and I am sure the people of Marie Stopes are more high-minded in their motives. But if the goal is simply to provide counseling for crisis pregnancies, couldn’t they have opened such center before?

I am assuming that travel between Ireland and Northern Ireland is easier than traveling across the water to England or Wales. If so, perhaps the overall number of abortions will increase, since travel will be less of a deterrent.
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I don’t believe your are being cynical either. Yes, traveling from Ireland to NI is much easier and cheaper and can take a minimum of a 45 minute drive across the border to Belfast and a maximum of around a 7 hour drive from say Cork There is also public transport trains/buses too.

I hope this does not come across as ‘warped’ thinking, however possibly the fact that women from Ireland will now have easier access to abortion (i.e. for those that would have traveled to the UK) as they can now travel to the North which is under UK law, then the Irish government may have a stronger bent towards NOT legalising abortion in Ireland.
 
Dale_M said:
Quoting from the article

From a purely economic standpoint, I can see why Marie Stopes would want to open a clinic in Northern Ireland. There is unmet demand, so there is money to be made.

Of course, that is a very cynical way of looking at the matter, and I am sure the people of Marie Stopes are more high-minded in their motives. But if the goal is simply to provide counseling for crisis pregnancies, couldn’t they have opened such center before?

I am assuming that travel between Ireland and Northern Ireland is easier than traveling across the water to England or Wales. If so, perhaps the overall number of abortions will increase, since travel will be less of a deterrent.
Click to expand...
1007 is down from 4422 Irish women who travelled to Britain for an abortion in 2009. Fewer women annually are travelling from Ireland to Britain for an abortion
 
_Abyssinia said:
If abortion is illegal how can this be opened?
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Northern Ireland is part of Great Britain and is subject to UK laws, where abortion is legal. However, I know for years NI did not allow abortion and that females from there also traveled to the UK mainland.
Here is the NI response to the proposed clinic and reference to NI laws regarding abortion which are much stricter.

belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/poll-irelands-first-private-abortion-clinic-to-open-amid-outrage-and-condemnation-16222766.html

Poll: Ireland’s first private abortion clinic to open amid outrage and condemnation

The first private health centre offering abortion services on the island of Ireland is to open in Belfast next week amid a clamour of outrage and condemnation.

Pro-life campaign group Precious Life has slammed the opening of the Marie Stopes independent clinic which will carry out officially approved terminations.

The facility, in the city centre, will be headed by former Progressive Unionist MLA Dawn Purvis.
Scroll down to cast your vote in our Abortion Clinic Poll<<
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The anti-abortion lobby has reacted with fury to the announcement with Bernadette Smith, of Precious Life, predicting an “outcry” from religious groups and individuals.

“I am absolutely outraged. An organisation which is making profits from the death of unborn children is not welcome in Northern Ireland,” said Ms Smith.

“There will be an outcry from the people, from government and from the churches.”

Terminations, costing £450, will be carried out at the new city centre clinic which opens on Thursday October 18.

The clinic also offers a range of sexual and reproductive services including short and long-term contraceptive options, emergency contraception and HIV testing.

Ms Smith insisted: "There is no demand for Marie Stopes in Northern Ireland. The figures for women seeking an abortion have been coming down. The reduction in the number of women travelling to England has fallen by 36% over the last 15 years since the foundation of Precious Life.

“There is a demand for a crisis pregnancy centre that will provide real help for women in crisis pregnancy.”

Marie Stopes International operates in 42 countries and has more than 25 clinics in England, although it has none in Scotland or Wales.

Dr Paula Franklin, medical director with Marie Stopes, said abortions, which involve taking tablets, would only be carried out on women who meet criteria set by two different doctors.

“In cases where we feel the woman’s case meets medical requirements, we will carry out medical abortions. That’s where two doctors independently review the woman’s history and current physical and mental health,” she said.

Aftercare such as counselling and access to a 24-hour helpline will also be provided to women who have abortions.

Dr Franklin said: "We know there will be opposition but we also hope there will be some support from the people of Northern Ireland. We think this is a positive move and we believe there is a need.

“Many women from Northern Ireland travel to England for terminations every year. We also know of woman who are unable to make that journey. If we can provide, in the right circumstances, for those women who meet the criteria, this is the right thing to do.”

The 1967 Abortion Act does not extend to Northern Ireland.

Within the current legal framework, the provision of early medical abortion is only available when the life of the pregnant woman is at immediate risk or if there is a long term or permanent risk to her physical or mental health.

The location of the new centre is being withheld amid fears of pickets.

Pro-life campaigners hold a picket outside a Family Planning Association office in Belfast’s Great Victoria Street on a daily basis.

Dawn Purvis, programme director with Marie Stopes Northern Ireland, said: "We believe this is great news for the people of Northern Ireland because we will be able to meet their family planning and sexual health needs in a way that has not been seen here before.

“We have a new, purpose-built, centrally located specialist centre. Our team are highly trained and dedicated healthcare professionals. And our services will be delivered in a confidential, sensitive and non-judgmental way.”
Law relating to abortion in Northern Ireland

The law relating to termination of pregnancy in Northern Ireland is different from that in England, Wales and Scotland and much more restrictive, reports the Detail

Abortions can only be carried out in Northern Ireland where continuing with the pregnancy would threaten the life of the women or would have a serious permanent or long-term effect on her physical or mental health.

In 2009 the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPSNI) published a document which, for the first time, provided guidance to health professionals in Northern Ireland on terminating pregnancy.

However, later that year the High Court ruled it did not properly cover counselling and conscientious objection issues. A judge held that the guidelines were misleading and should be withdrawn for reconsideration.

Since then a fresh public consultation process on counselling and conscientious objection was carried out as part of the redrafting.

Last month, the Family Planning Association (FPA) was granted leave to seek a judicial review of the Department of Health’s decision not to publish information on terminations in Northern Ireland.

A full hearing is listed for January.
 
How very sad. I hope that there is some way that pro-life activists can get this place shut down. Perhaps they can advocate for some sort of law which will effectively shut this murder mill down?
 
This is very strange, why not open a centre years ago in NI, why now what’s changed? Legally, Marie Stopes (MS) may only carry out abortions on women that fit the ‘legal requirements’ in NI, i.e. that the mother would be at risk - hence I would assume such abortions would be carried out on the NHS and therefore not require payment.

I can only assume MS will be working around some ‘legal’ loophole and performing more abortions that the NHS doctors would view as legally within the NI abortion laws. All the more reason why Ireland should not allow any legal right to an abortion - i.e. even if it was a threat to the mother, which I believe has been/is being discussed.
 
pepipop said:
This is very strange, why not open a centre years ago in NI, why now what’s changed? Legally, Marie Stopes (MS) may only carry out abortions on women that fit the ‘legal requirements’ in NI, i.e. that the mother would be at risk - hence I would assume such abortions would be carried out on the NHS and therefore not require payment.

I can only assume MS will be working around some ‘legal’ loophole and performing more abortions that the NHS doctors would view as legally within the NI abortion laws. All the more reason why Ireland should not allow any legal right to an abortion - i.e. even if it was a threat to the mother, which I believe has been/is being discussed.
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Honestly, I wouldn’t doubt it if some abortion clinics don’t deliberately violate the law just in order to make more money. In fact, I think I have seen news articles where this has happened before. One such instance was of an abortionist who was going back and forth between two or more states to get around some kind of legal loophole or something. I think what he did was illegal and he got sent to court because of it. That is totally justified. Those who violate the law need to be taken to court because for one thing, laws should not be violated unless they are unjust laws and not violating the law would be violating the rules of the Church (such as the HHS Mandate). For another, abortion needs to be abolished from the entire world. If we can do that by taking violators of the law to court, exposing those who have dishonest and gravely immoral practices, or by changing the law so as to restrict abortions further or even eliminate them then so be it.
 
Pilgrim1701 said:
This is another private, fee paying slaughter house. Another way for the rich and greedy (no doubt rubbing their hands together) to make money out of murder and slaughter of the innocents.:mad::mad:
This is the calibre of ‘medical professionals’ Marie Stopes’ have working for them:
independent.ie/world-news/europe/doctor-struck-off-as-abortion-nearly-kills-irish-woman-2952713.html
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That is dreadful. Fortunately, there seems to be a lot of opposition, in NI, to the opening of the clinic, so it has a good chance of being closed. I still cannot see how they can ‘legally’ get around setting up in NI, as ‘legal’ abortions under NI law will be carried out for free on the NHS - so why should any female wish to pay for one, unless the abortion is outwith the legal requirements set, in NI.
 
_Abyssinia said:
1007 is down from 4422 Irish women who travelled to Britain for an abortion in 2009. Fewer women annually are travelling from Ireland to Britain for an abortion
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You may want to re-read the article in the first post. The 4422 figure refers to women from Ireland. The 1007 figure refers to women from Northern Ireland.

The article you cited says that the number of women from Ireland declined from 4600 to 4422, which is a decline of about 5%.
 
It seems MS shall be operating within the abortion laws in NI.

This evening the Director of MS stated they would carry out the same service(s) as the NHS and totally in line with abortion law in NI. They feel the NHS (a free service) is not transparent enough.
 
Dale_M said:
You may want to re-read the article in the first post. The 4422 figure refers to women from Ireland. The 1007 figure refers to women from Northern Ireland.

The article you cited says that the number of women from Ireland declined from 4600 to 4422, which is a decline of about 5%.
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Excuse my mistake. Decline is happening though which is good
 
I would suggest that people send money to Precious Life in Northern Ireland which will be in need of money to fight this. They do take credit cards and paypal.

preciouslife.com/?va=33
 
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