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23/08/2016
Some NI Marie Stopes Services Suspended
Some abortion services at the Belfast clinic of Marie Stopes International have been suspended.
It is understood the services apply for women under the age of 18, as well as those who are vulnerable. Terminations under general anaesthetic have also been stopped.
The Marie Stopes Clinic currently provides non-surgical terminations up to nine weeks, but over the weekend, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) raised concerns about patient safety. In response, Marie Stopes International suspended a number of services in England. This has since been extended to its Belfast clinic.
In a statement, the CQC voiced "specific immediate concerns" about consent and safeguarding. It also said it was not satisfied about training and competence for terminations which take place under general anaesthetic or conscious sedation.
A spokesperson for Marie Stopes said they were voluntarily imposing the suspension in their Belfast clinic as it is overseen by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) and not the CQC.
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA said the issues raised were concerning.
She said: "The CQC is right to suspend services if it feels there are worries over any operations at Marie Stopes. However, it is of the utmost importance those services are restored as soon as possible, once any concerns are allayed.
"It is clear the priority in all this needs to be those women who wish to access abortion services at Marie Stopes. The organisation provides a vital service for those in need and without it, scores of women will be forced to take the hazardous journey to Great Britain, often at great financial and emotional cost."
(JP)
It is understood the services apply for women under the age of 18, as well as those who are vulnerable. Terminations under general anaesthetic have also been stopped.
The Marie Stopes Clinic currently provides non-surgical terminations up to nine weeks, but over the weekend, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) raised concerns about patient safety. In response, Marie Stopes International suspended a number of services in England. This has since been extended to its Belfast clinic.
In a statement, the CQC voiced "specific immediate concerns" about consent and safeguarding. It also said it was not satisfied about training and competence for terminations which take place under general anaesthetic or conscious sedation.
A spokesperson for Marie Stopes said they were voluntarily imposing the suspension in their Belfast clinic as it is overseen by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) and not the CQC.
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA said the issues raised were concerning.
She said: "The CQC is right to suspend services if it feels there are worries over any operations at Marie Stopes. However, it is of the utmost importance those services are restored as soon as possible, once any concerns are allayed.
"It is clear the priority in all this needs to be those women who wish to access abortion services at Marie Stopes. The organisation provides a vital service for those in need and without it, scores of women will be forced to take the hazardous journey to Great Britain, often at great financial and emotional cost."
(JP)
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