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Abortion Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020

Wednesday, 27 May 2020

Questions (621, 622)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

621. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when the temporary measures he introduced as part of his response to the Covid-19 pandemic in relation to doctors being allowed to prescribe abortion pills after a teleconference with a patient rather than a physical visit, as required heretofore, will be rescinded in view of the reduction of pressure of work on general practitioners in recent weeks and the assurance by general practitioners to all patients that it is safe to visit their general practitioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8125/20]

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Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

622. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the medical advice given to him before he changed the regulations in relation to the need for a physical visit to a doctor before abortion pills could be prescribed, which he said was in response to the changed circumstances due to Covid-19; who gave this advice; whether he is willing to publish the advice given to him on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8126/20]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 621 and 622 together.

As part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to protect public health and limit the spread of COVID-19, the Department of Health and the HSE worked together to put new arrangements in place to temporarily allow termination of pregnancy services in early pregnancy to be provided remotely.

For the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency, where the need for social distancing, reducing personal contacts and reducing the burden on medical practitioners are paramount, it will be possible for a woman to access a termination under section 12 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 (i.e. before 12 weeks) from her medical practitioner by telephone or video conference consultation.

The arrangement enabling remote consultation will lapse once the public health emergency is declared over, and the normal functioning and requirements of the original Model of Care for early pregnancy will resume (i.e., visits to medical practitioners).

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