RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Vacuum aspiration for induced abortion could be safely and legally performed by nurses and midwives
JF Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care
JO J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP 260
OP 264
DO 10.1136/jfprhc-2016-101542
VO 43
IS 4
A1 Sally Sheldon
A1 Joanne Fletcher
YR 2017
UL http://jfprhc.bmj.com/content/43/4/260.abstract
AB Background Some 40% of abortions carried out in England and Wales are done by vacuum aspiration. It is widely assumed that, in order to be lawful, these procedures must be performed by doctors.Aim and design This study aimed to provide a detailed reassessment of the relevant law and the clinical evidence that supports this assumption.Conclusions A close reading of relevant law reveals that this assumption is unfounded. On the contrary, it would be lawful for appropriately trained nurses or midwives, acting as part of a multidisciplinary team, to carry out vacuum aspiration procedures. This interpretation of the law offers the potential for developing more streamlined, cost-effective abortion services, which would be both safe and highly acceptable to patients.