Consultation begins on guidance on the termination of pregnancy in Northern Ireland

Revised guidance on the termination of pregnancy in Northern Ireland has been issued for public consultation today.

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) had published guidance in March 2009 on the termination of pregnancy in Northern Ireland. In November 2009 the Guidance was subject to a Judicial Review. Following the Judicial Review decision, interim Guidance was published in February 2010 with the sections on conscientious objection and counselling omitted. This interim Guidance has now been withdrawn.

The Department has redrafted the sections on counselling and conscientious objection and has incorporated these into revised Guidance which is now issued for consultation.

The consultation period will run for a period of twelve weeks from 27 July 2010 ending on 22 October 2010.

This guidance can be accessed on the DHSSPS website by clicking on the DHSSPS e-consultation link. Copies of the guidance are also available on request by contacting: Family Policy Unit, Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate, Belfast BT4 3SQ or telephone: 028 9052 0530.

Notes to editors:

1. The consultation period begins today 27 July and will end on 22 October 2010.

2. The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety had issued guidance in March 2009 on the termination of pregnancy in Northern Ireland. This was in response to a Court of Appeal order in 2004, which required the Department to:

• Inquire into the adequacy of termination of pregnancy services provided in Northern Ireland (including aftercare); and
• Following such inquiry, and after appropriate consultation with concerned organisations, issue appropriate guidance.

3. At the Judicial Review hearing in November 2009, the High Court found in favour of the Department in respect of five of the seven grounds, namely the guidance had not misrepresented or misinterpreted the law on the termination of pregnancy in Northern Ireland. However, notwithstanding, Girvan LJ ruled that the Guidance was misleading in respect of its advice to health professionals on matters of counselling and conscientious objection.

4. Media enquiries to the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0579. For media enquiries out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.