Trials to consider abortions at GP surgeries

LONDON (Reuters) - Trials have been launched to see whether abortions can be carried out safely at GP surgeries in England, the Department of Health said on Wednesday.

Pilot schemes have begun at two unnamed hospitals to test whether early terminations, using so-called abortion pills can be carried out in "non-traditional settings".

"We are formally evaluating the safety and effectiveness of providing early medical abortion services in non-traditional settings, which in future, could be a community medical setting such as a doctor's surgery which has the appropriate medical expertise.

"The evaluation will be complete in the New Year and we will consider the results carefully before reaching a decision," a Department of Health spokeswoman said.

The law legalising abortions came into force in 1967 when there were some 20,000 abortions a year. Now there are around 200,000 abortions a year.

Pulse, a magazine for GPs, said the trials are being carried out in secret to avoid any disruption from pro-life campaigners. It said the scheme is part of a proposal to make abortion available closer to where women live.

However, some doctors were sceptical. Dr Fiona Cornish, a GP in Cambridge and treasurer of the Medical Women's Federation, said doctors would not want to take on the service because of time and funding constraints.

"We're already doing minor surgery, hospital follow-ups and family planning clinics," she told Pulse. "No doubt there would be no extra funding."

Abortion has recently returned as a political issue.