The Tasmanian Government is under pressure to find a new surgical abortion service, after the closure of the state’s only clinic.
Dr Paul Hyland had been the state’s primary surgical abortion provider for 17 years, but said rising costs and a drop in demand had meant he had closed the service.
He said the number of surgical abortions, a procedure done after nine weeks, had declined.
“Back in 2000 there were 25 to 30 surgical terminations a week and that’s slowly dropped due to the combined effects of contraception and managing it earlier,” he said.
Dr Hyland said those currently seeking a termination after nine weeks were being told to visit their GP, an approach he said was not helpful.
Tasmanian Health Minister Michael Ferguson has been a vocal opponent of the abortion pill RU486, and joined church leaders to protest against the state’s Reproductive Health Bill that passed in 2013.
“I think the minister needs to be pragmatic about the services that are required to Tasmanian people disregarding his own personal values,” Dr Hyland said.
Dr Hyland said the majority of women accessing termination in Tasmania used a medical abortion, which was available up to nine weeks.
“There are going to be women presenting for surgical abortions above nine weeks,” he said.
“We’re talking about four weeks of pregnancy gestation that needs to be accommodated by a service.
“No private provider is going to do it so the Government is going to have to do something about it, bearing in mind their budget, values and politics.”
Interstate travel on the cards
Family Planning Tasmania’s chief executive, Cedric Manen, said since the closure there had already been a case of a woman needing to travel interstate.
He expected more would follow and said that is “absolutely not ideal for any woman in Tasmania”.
“Also in any recovery-type situation it’s best to have your friends and family surrounding you … so the women would have very little support,” Mr Manen said.
The Health Department said patient travel assistance was available.
With the closure of the dedicated clinic, the only other option to access a surgical termination in Tasmania is at a private gynaecological clinic in Hobart, at a cost of up to $2,500.
“For someone in Burnie they’re faced with a potential five-hour drive, a very high cost factor, accommodation, recovery period and then travel back, so it’s not ideal,” Mr Manen said.
Political pressure
Greens leader Cassy O’Connor is also calling on the Government to act.
“Tasmania now only has one private practitioner who can conduct surgical terminations, and only on a part-time basis,” Ms O’Connor said.
“The Hodgman Government needs to step in as a matter of priority, and move to ensure surgical terminations can be made available in public hospitals.
“We encourage the Liberals to do the right thing, and hope Health Minister Michael Ferguson’s well-known ideological opposition doesn’t get in the way.”
Mr Ferguson said his department was aware of the closure, and was investigating options.
He said women with concerns should visit their GP for advice.
In 2013, Tasmania joined Victoria and the ACT in removing any reference to the medical procedure in criminal laws.
The law allows terminations at up to 16 weeks with the woman’s consent, and after 16 weeks with the agreement of two doctors.
Doctors who oppose abortion are compelled to give women a list of willing practitioners.
Source: ABC News (Australia)
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