| Abortion Rights applauds BMA support for liberalisation of Abortion Act |
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Although abortion has been legal in Britain for 40 years, women still need the approval of two doctors before they can access the procedure. Today a significant majority (67 per cent) of doctors at the British Medical Association (BMA) voted in favour of ‘amending legislation so that first trimester abortion would be available on the same basis of informed consent as other treatment and therefore without the need for two doctors signatures’ and 73 per cent agreed that this should have no impact on the availability of later abortion.
Anne Quesney, Director of Abortion Rights said: "Abortion Rights is delighted that the BMA voted in favour of liberalising the 1967 Abortion Act whilst re-affirming their unflinching support for the 24-week time limit. This year we celebrate 40 years of safe, legal abortion in Britain and thousands of women’s lives saved but legislation continues to be amongst the most restrictive in Europe and the time has come for that to change." In March this year, Abortion Rights launched its campaign to liberalise British abortion law and secure better access to services for the 1 in 3 women who will need an abortion in their lifetime. The campaign, which is backed by many MPs, peers, doctors, nurses, sexual health organisations, trade unions, artists and students, is calling for:
[Ends] For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact Anne Quesney on 020 923 9792 or 07909 974 101.
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