No demand for abortion clinic in Belfast, says campaigner
Anti-abortion campaigners have hit out at the opening of the North’s first abortion clinic.
Officially approved operations will be carried out at the Marie Stopes centre in Belfast, headed by former Progressive Unionist MLA Dawn Purvis.
The new medical facility has provoked outrage among the anti-abortion lobby.
Bernadette Smith, from the Precious Life group, said: “I am absolutely outraged. An organisation which is making profits from the death of unborn children is not welcome in Northern Ireland. There will be an outcry from the people, from government and from the churches.”
Terminations, each costing £450 (€349.49), 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 UK's 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.”
