The variety of abortions in Scotland hit a file excessive final yr, prompting requires the “pressing” restoration of face-to-face consultations earlier than each abortion.
New statistics launched by Public Well being Scotland have proven that 18,207 abortions might be carried out in 2023, a rise of 9.63% on the earlier yr.
The info additionally confirmed a 29.2% enhance in abortions from 2022 for women aged 15 and below, and a 35% enhance in late-term abortions at or after 21 weeks of being pregnant. Greater than a 3rd of abortions (39.92%) final yr have been repeated abortions.
The variety of abortions of youngsters with disabilities elevated by 4%, from 274 in 2022 to 285 in 2023. Of those, 49 kids had Down syndrome.
Proper to Life UK attributes the will increase within the introduction of residence abortions throughout the pandemic, when the regulation was modified to permit each abortion drugs to be taken at residence after an digital session.
Proper To Life UK spokeswoman Catherine Robinson stated self-abortions put girls's well being in danger.
“It’s a nice tragedy that abortion claimed 18,207 lives in Scotland final yr, the best quantity on file,” she stated.
“Every of those abortions represents a failure of our society to guard the lives of youngsters within the womb and a failure to supply full help to girls with unplanned pregnancies.”
She stated restoring face-to-face appointments would shield girls and forestall tragedies like Carly Foster, who miscarried her child between 32 and 34 weeks after being given residence abortion drugs properly previous the authorized 10-week restrict.
“The survey exhibits that 71% of ladies help the return of face-to-face relationship and solely 9% are in favor of the established order,” stated Robinson.
“We’re calling on the Scottish Authorities to revive face-to-face consultations on residence abortion as a matter of urgency.”
