PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Lohr, Patricia A AU - Lewandowska, Maria AU - Meiksin, Rebecca AU - Salaria, Natasha AU - Cameron, Sharon AU - Scott, Rachel H AU - Reiter, Jennifer AU - Palmer, Melissa J AU - French, Rebecca S AU - Wellings, Kaye TI - Should COVID-specific arrangements for abortion continue? The views of women experiencing abortion in Britain during the pandemic AID - 10.1136/bmjsrh-2022-201502 DP - 2022 Oct 01 TA - BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health PG - 288--294 VI - 48 IP - 4 4099 - http://jfprhc.bmj.com/content/48/4/288.short 4100 - http://jfprhc.bmj.com/content/48/4/288.full SO - BMJ Sex Reprod Health2022 Oct 01; 48 AB - Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, the British governments issued temporary approvals enabling the use of both medical abortion pills, mifepristone and misoprostol, at home. This permitted the introduction of a fully telemedical model of abortion care with consultations taking place via telephone or video call and medications delivered to women’s homes. The decision was taken by the governments in England and Wales to continue this model of care beyond the original end date of April 2022, while at time of writing the approval in Scotland remains under consultation.Methods We interviewed 30 women who had undergone an abortion in England, Scotland or Wales between August and December 2021. We explored their views on the changes in abortion service configuration during the pandemic and whether abortion via telemedicine and use of abortion medications at home should continue.Results Support for continuation of the permission to use mifepristone and misoprostol at home was overwhelmingly positive. Reasons cited included convenience, comfort, reduced stigma, privacy and respect for autonomy. A telemedical model was also highly regarded for similar reasons, but for some its necessity was linked to safety measures during the pandemic, and an option to have an in-person interaction with a health professional at some point in the care pathway was endorsed.Conclusions The approval to use abortion pills at home via telemedicine is supported by women having abortions in Britain. The voices of patients are essential to shaping acceptable and appropriate abortion service provision.Data is not available, it is confidential and subject to ethical approvals.