Islington first to offer early-stage abortions in doctors’ surgeries

Women could be offered abortions in GPs' surgeries under a new scheme.

NHS Islington wants to pioneer early terminations at GP surgeries and health centres.

The trust is acting after a pilot study by the Department of Health last May found that the so-called "abortion pill", Mifepristone and Misoprostol, could be used safely in community-based settings. The pill, which can only be taken by women who are less than nine weeks pregnant, is cheaper than surgical hospital abortions and allows the patient to carry out a termination at home.

The Rev Stephen Coles, vicar of St Thomas the Apostle Church in Finsbury Park, said: "I would be very wary. It's not just how much it costs. Abortion is not a form of contraception. This needs to be put out to the widest possible consultation."

Father Jim Kennedy, Catholic borough dean for Islington, said he "upheld the view of the Roman Catholic Church" in opposing any form of abortion.

Dr Cornel Fleming, who runs a GP surgery in Dartmouth Park Hill, Tufnell Park, said: "It's a silly idea. If someone comes in for an abortion I'll send them to a gynaecologist."

The British Pregnancy Advice Service has been providing early abortions to women for a number of years.

Its chief executive Ann Furedi said: "This is a less expensive method for the NHS to provide than a surgical termination and is suited to community provision."

An NHS Islington spokeswoman said: "We would like to offer early medical abortions in primary care. We have no set plans but are considering options."

Under the 1967 Abortion Act, terminations can only be performed in a hospital or approved private clinic. But a loophole in the law gives the Government the power to approve abortions in primary care. So far only Hampshire PCT has applied for a licence to provide GP-based abortions.

Hounslow PCT has also said it was looking at providing medical terminations at the Heart of Hounslow clinic since being made aware of the change in the law. However, it said there are no set plans yet.