An inquiry into Canberra abortion services has recommended the ACT government crack down on Calvary Public Hospital's refusal to provide "full reproductive health services in accordance with human rights".
Calvary Public Hospital is funded by the ACT government and operates as a Catholic healthcare provider under the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary.
In a report published on Tuesday evening, the hospital has drawn the ire of an ACT legislative assembly committee inquiry after a woman, who has not been identified for privacy reasons, gave "distressing" evidence.
She said she was told Calvary Public Hospital was unable to treat her, despite needing urgent medical care for an incomplete miscarriage.
The patient said she had tissue remaining in her body and was advised of "severe infection and other complications" if the tissue was not removed.
"First I tried medication. I had severe cramping, I felt faint and had really intense pain. I ended up in the emergency room, but the tissue still didn't leave my body," the woman told the committee.
She required a dilation and curettage procedure (D&C) which removes tissue from the uterus.
But the woman said she was told Calvary Public Hospital was not an option for treatment as a D&C was a procedure used for abortions.
In a statement, Calvary Public Hospital strongly denied the report's findings, saying a D&C was a "standard emergency treatment for an incomplete miscarriage".
"Canberra women can be assured Calvary Public Hospital Bruce absolutely does and will continue to care for them and provide immediate emergency treatment when experiencing a miscarriage," the hospital's Chief Medical Advisor Dr Tracey Tay said.
"Although Calvary does not offer an elective termination of pregnancy, Calvary does provide D&C for a range of gynaecological conditions.
"The details in the report of the ACT Inquiry into Abortion and Reproductive Choice do not reflect Calvary’s commitment to women in need of emergency health care when experiencing a miscarriage."
However, the inquiry said the woman's story was compelling evidence that the government should intervene in the publicly-funded hospital's stance on reproductive healthcare.
"It is the view of the committee that the aforementioned patient's experience is unacceptable and that the ACT government needs to address what the committee perceives as an ethically fraught dependence on the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary for provision of health services," the report said.
It added that "at a minimum" Calvary Public Hospital should be required by law to refer patients to termination services.
Recommendations include new laws for conscientious objectors
Committee members said the inquiry was held after "shock waves emanated internationally" over the 2022 US Supreme Court ruling which repealed Roe v Wade, removing a constitutional right to an abortion in America.
The inquiry received more than 50 submissions and has made 18 recommendations, calling for:
- Exclusion zones at ACT abortion services to be expanded from 50 to 150 metres
- More Canberra general practitioners and pharmacists to be trained in medical abortions to address a shortage
- Investment in services to allow for abortions post 16 weeks gestation in the ACT
- Urgent action on a "critical" lack of ultrasound equipment that is used ahead of abortions
- More reproductive healthcare support and resources for those experiencing domestic violence and other forms of hardship and marginalisation
- A legal requirement that would see conscientious objectors have to provide referrals to other services
- Subsidised long acting contraceptives, including a trial of subsidised vasectomies
- A trial of reproductive healthcare leave for ACT government employees
ACT set to make abortions free in national first
Abortion has been decriminalised in the territory since 2002 but gaps in accessing the care have resulted in many women being forced to travel interstate for terminations.
Finding information about where to access abortions can be difficult, as some Canberra healthcare providers have refrained from advertising the services on their websites due to fears of aggression from some in the community.
The ACT government has committed to making abortions free in Canberra in a bid to ease cost pressures on those seeking the care.
MSI Australia, formerly known as Marie Stopes Australia, has a clinic in Civic while Gynaecology Centres Australia has a Queanbeyan service.
Currently, a surgical abortion will cost a Canberra patient a minimum of $650, with medical abortions significantly subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme at $30.
The government has said removing the cost barrier will ensure vulnerable people have equal access to terminations.
